17 best places to travel in 2023

For travellers with a sense of adventure and a love of discovery, Bhutan has always been a bucket-list trip. And in 2023, travellers can once again explore via the Trans-Bhutan Walking Trail, which reopened in late 2022 after a renovation. This is the first time it has been open to tourists in 60 years! This ancient trail runs 400 kilometres from east to west, offering views of the Himalayan Kingdom’s one-of-a-kind landscape and visits to the century-old communities along the journey. The trail spans across 18 major bridges and one national park as it connects more than 400 historic and cultural sites.

Check out these natural wonders of the world to put on your bucket list.

The coming years will be decidedly sporty in the historical wine region of Bordeaux in France. In 2023, the city will host the Rugby World Cup and the Tour de France before raising the colourful flags of the Olympic Games in 2024, when it will host the men’s and women’s football, aka soccer, matches.

Beyond sports, Bordeaux is one of our favourite historical cities, with more than 350 structures that are either nationally or regionally listed Historical Monuments (Monuments Historiques), and the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s easy to get there from Paris, since there’s a TGV train that can whisk you there in just two hours. According to GlobalData, France is set to become the most visited country by 2025. Go now, before everyone else does!

Waterpark and thrill-ride fans, take note: when The Atlantis, The Royal opens this year in Dubai on man-made The Palm island, it will have 105 waterslides and 90 pools! Yes, you read that right. 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 the one. No wonder Dubai is the most popular travel destination of 2023, as ranked by TripAdvisor users.

The Atlantis, The Royal is not just a water park, of course. The 43-storey ultra-luxury resort will sit in the heart of Dubai, featuring 795 rooms and suites with views of the futuristic city skyline and Arabian Gulf. Situated on two kilometres of beachfront, Atlantis, The Royal will boast 17 onsite restaurants curated by celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs, including Heston Blumenthal and Jose Andres. And all stays come with complimentary entrance to what’s being called the world’s leading aquatic theme park. We’re already breaking out the sunscreen!

South Africa is one of our favourite places to travel and one of the top bucket-list destinations that won’t break the bank for its mix of contemporary cities, melting pot of cultures and incredible natural areas, including wildlife safaris to see the Big 5 (lion, hippo, Cape buffalo, rhino and leopard) in world-renowned Kruger National Park and the private Sabi Sand Reserve.

Don’t miss these ‘must-see’ places in South Africa.

Bali is known for its spectacular beaches, fabulous hotels and gorgeous turquoise water, best explored by jumping in and exploring the sea. So it’s no wonder that in 2023 it’s been chosen to host the ANOC World Beach Games from August 5–15, 2023. Thousands of athletes from 100 countries across the globe will be in Bali for the event, as well as spectators from all over the world.

Away from the beach is another equally mesmerising side to the island known as the Land of the Gods. For travellers looking to immerse themselves in the deeply rooted culture and spiritual history that Bali has to offer, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, is the perfect fit. Beautifully set where the lush jungle meets the Ayung River and temples stand majestic against a backdrop of rice terraces, it’s a true sanctuary to relax one’s mind, body and soul.

If you’re looking for an exotic trip to a beautiful beach in 2023, we’ve got just the ticket. The Caribbean island of Curaçao is known for its vibrant, Dutch-influenced architecture, 300 days of sun per year, rich coral reefs and diverse mix of cultures.

After you arrive at the sunny island, head to the newly renovated Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, five minutes from the capital and nestled on six acres of oceanfront property. New to the resort, the property recently opened its onsite dive shop Goby Divers, where guests can learn to scuba and earn their PADI certification, or experience dives based on their level of experience.

Climate change tourism has seen an increase in recent years as global warming has become a front-and-centre topic in travel – last-chance trips to see gigantic glaciers and ice caves before they melt away have specifically seen a rise. Patagonia fits perfectly with this trend. Here you’ll see Grey Glacier, the Balmaceda Glacier and the Serrano Glacier, among others.

The Singular Patagonia, Kau Rio Serrano and Quasar Expeditions offer excursions that allow guests to get up close and personal with the glaciers. From kayaking Grey Lake to walking Grey Peninsula, ice trekking, hiking in Torres del Paine or Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, or taking boat rides right up to the glacier walls, travellers can catch a glimpse of the magnificent glaciers before it’s too late or becomes too dangerous.

Chilean Patagonia is also becoming more accessible, as there are new flights launching to connect Santiago to Puerto Natales on a regular basis.

Prague is one of our favourite hidden gems in Europe and one of the best places to travel for charm and culture. The perfectly preserved city has bright red trolleys traversing original cobblestone streets lined with charming stone buildings. Around every corner, you’ll find a new treat, like the Charles Bridge lined with majestic stone statues, Michelin-starred restaurants and classic pilsner bars. Another highlight: an entire ‘castle district’ centred around majestic Prague Castle.

New for 2023, this ancient kingdom meets modern times with William Rudolf Lobkowicz, the 14th prince of Bohemia, who is modernising the way philanthropy takes place with NFTs (yes, those NFTs). This new technology can help prove provenance of historic art and also help fund its restoration, which is of particular interest to a family that lost its kingdom of treasures twice – first to the Nazis, and then to the Communists. You can see many of these works of art and hear about their ‘Non-Fungible Castle’ project at the lovely Lobkowicz Palace.

Stay at a true historical gem, the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV. A former grand bank headquarters, it features marble and crystal in the lobby, gorgeous vaulted ceilings in the breakfast dining room and a truly special pool in the downstairs spa level. The trolley runs just outside the property, but the hotel would be happy to arrange special transportation such as a vintage red convertible to whisk you to the castle.

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Source: RD.com