After some tough travelling years, we hope this 2023 is the time to take the calendar and start looking at dates to fit all the trips we have dreamed of for so long to visit best countries to travel.
Although we know that, like any list, all the options are very subjective and depend a lot on each of us, we wanted to make a list with what we think are some of the best trips for 2023. With all the practical information, organize them more comfortably and securely without missing anything important from each country or region you visit.
Keep in mind that these destinations are chosen from various points of view but at no time have we assessed the global health situation that we are experiencing or the one that each of the countries currently has at a particular level. So choosing them or not for a future trip will depend entirely on the evolution of the pandemic in the coming months.
We keep dreaming and crossing our fingers that this year brings us some of the best trips for 2023.
17. South Africa
South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world and another of the best trips for 2023 that you can do.
In this amazing country, you can enjoy natural landscapes that seem from another planet, see big cats like lions and leopards up close in its well-kept national parks, and feel the great multicultural atmosphere of its big cities.
To get a complete picture of the country and visit all the important places to see in South Africa, we recommend taking a rental car route from Cape Town to Johannesburg, passing through Swaziland. However, depending on the time you have, you can do it by plane for some long stretches, such as from Port Elizabeth to Durban.
Although all the tourist spots in Kruger Park are incredible, we recommend you spend at least five days, practically essential time to enjoy the safaris with your private car, enjoying a unique experience in the world.
Any time is good to travel to South Africa, although according to our experience, a good time is autumn when there are good conditions to see wildlife in the national parks and the whales come close to the coast.
16. Peru
Peru is another of the most visited countries and can be considered one of the best trips for 2023. If you have about three weeks, you can do a complete route that goes from Lima to Cuzco and includes an end of the trip to relax for a few days in the area of Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado to enjoy the Amazon.
On this route through Peru, aside from being overwhelmed by Machu Picchu, you cannot forget to visit places such as following: like the Paracas National Reserve, the Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina Oasis, fly over the Nazca lines, visit Arequipa, tour the Colca Valley, be on the roof of the world in Lake Titicaca or get lost in the Inca ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
The best time to travel to Peru is between September to November and from March to May, when the weather is pleasant, and there is less tourism.
15. Iceland
Iceland is a paradise for lovers of landscapes and another of the best trips in 2023. Surrounding the island by car along Highway 1, stopping at the places of greatest tourist interest can take ten days and two weeks. However, if you have less time, don’t worry; with a week, you can also plan a complete tour, eliminating some of the most remote areas.
Something to remember is that there is not much hotel infrastructure in Iceland, so it is essential to book in advance; consider a trip by motorhome or, if you go in the hottest season, a tent.
During the days of the trip, you’ll be able to do incredible trekking routes, walk through glaciers, see black sand beaches, volcanoes, the impressive Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, waterfalls such as Seldjalanfoss, Detifoss or Godafoss, see whales or puffins, surprise yourself in front of to landscapes from another planet like those of Landmannalaugar or bathe in hot springs, surrounded by the wildest nature. Do you dare?
The best time to travel to Iceland is if you want to tour the island in its entirety during the summer months, although any time is good to travel to Iceland, as long as the cold does not impede you.
14. Mexico
Mexico is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and one of the best trips for 2023, in addition to having one of the best gastronomy on the planet.
A route through the country could start in its capital, Mexico City, and then travel by bus to some of the country’s most beautiful colonial cities, such as San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, or Guadalajara.
This area, and the whole country in general, have a reputation for being dangerous. Still, after our experience traveling for a month and a half on our own, we have to say that at no time during the days we spent in Mexico did we have any sense of danger, it is. Furthermore, we always moved with the camera and mobile phones in hand and felt completely safe. In addition, from what we spoke with several locals and intuited, insecurity is more focused in the north and usually due to drug trafficking issues, so tourism, in general terms, is not affected.
After completing the visit to some of the colonial cities, a good option is to take a plane or bus to the Chiapas area to visit the beautiful San Cristóbal de las Casas and, of course, its surroundings.
And you have more time in this Mexico for free. In that case, you can go to Oaxaca or follow the route by rental car through Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán. These include some of the best places to visit in Mexico since this area is more touristy, are the spectacular ancient Mayan cities, fantastic cenotes, and beaches with transparent waters where you can spend the last days of the trip in a relaxed way.
Any time is good to travel to Mexico since being such a large country; there are climatic variations depending on the area. For example, in the southern part of the country, between May to September, it is usually quite hot and humid, while in the interior, between the months of October-November to February-March, it is usually colder.
13. Japan
Japan is one country that surprises and falls in love in equal parts. A perfect combination of future and tradition, and without a doubt, one of the best trips for 2023 in which you can do a complete route through Japan, from Kyoto to Tokyo, in approximately 2-3 weeks, traveling by train.
This trip will take you to know some of the biggest tourist attractions in the country, such as visiting the impressive temples of Kyoto, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go references to mountain destinations, the beautiful Miyajima Island, cities like Tokyo or Osaka or the impressive Himeji Castle.
In addition to all these places, Japan has unbeatable gastronomy, which includes the best sushi and fresh fish in the world, ramen, sashimi, tempura, or Kobe meat, which will take you on another journey, in this case, focused on the palate. And the senses.
Any time is good to travel to Japan since it is a country in which each season of the year marks a special moment for the country. However, there are two memorable moments: spring, with the spectacle of the cherry blossoms, and autumn, when the colors become the undisputed protagonists of the trip.
12. Greece
Greece, the cradle of the current Western civilization, is another of the best trips for 2023. Although there are hundreds of combinations that you can do in the country, we recommend dividing your trip into two very different stages, but no less spectacular for that: Mainland Greece and the Greek Islands.
The route through the peninsula typically begins in Athens, which has its great jewel in the Parthenon, to visit different archaeological sites of Ancient Greece such as Olympia, Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and the incredible Delphi.
The finishing touch to this itinerary is the Meteora Monasteries, located in stone colossi over 600 meters high, which we are sure will leave you speechless.
Once Peninsular Greece is over, you can take a ferry to spend a few quiet days in some of the best Greek Islands that form a great mosaic of colors with their turquoise waters and beautiful villages with white houses.
In addition to getting to know all these important places to see in Greece, this trip will allow you to enjoy its magnificent gastronomy, ranked among the best in the world.
The best months to travel to Greece are May, June, September, and October, in which you will avoid the high temperatures and inflated prices of the high season.
11. New Zealand
New Zealand is one of those unique destinations in the world where you can enjoy nature in its wildest state and landscapes of extreme beauty, which we are sure will leave you speechless.
Prepared to the smallest detail to travel on wheels, we cannot forget that this is one of the best motorhome trips in the world, although New Zealand is also known for being a peaceful and very safe country.
To complete this list of important places to see in New Zealand, we advise you to take a 3 to 4-week route through the two islands, starting with the North Island and then crossing by ferry to the South Island.
The best months to travel to New Zealand are between December and February, when it is summer there, although if you want lower prices, we recommend autumn or spring.
10. Egypt
Egypt is home to the pyramids of Giza, one of the world’s seven wonders.
But don’t think that “old” is synonymous with “boring.” Despite its more than 4,500 years of history, we are still learning more about these architectural wonders.
Case in point: Dozer’s 63-meter-tall pyramid, the oldest of the group, was reopened to the public last year.
9. Malawi
At just 118 square kilometers, Malawi can sometimes be dwarfed by its larger neighbors like Mozambique and Tanzania.
But there are treasures in the “warm heart of Africa,” with fewer tourists competing for space along the stunning Lake Malawi, the ninth-largest lake in the world.
Malawi has many of the same attractions they love about their African cousins, like safaris where you can spot elephants, baboons, hippos, and other animals in their native habitats, all at a fraction of the price.
8. Nepal
It is almost impossible to talk about Nepal without talking about Mount Everest. But this Himalayan nation has much more for travelers who aren’t climbing the world’s highest mountain.
In the remote region of Mustang (meaning “fertile plain”), trekkers can explore the desert and meet locals in homestays along the way, dining on Nepali specialties like yak butter coffee and momos served pan-style. “kothey,” half fried and half steamed.
7. Oman
Do you think Norway is the only place in the world with fjords? Think again.
In Musandam, Oman, bordering the Strait of Hormuz, mountains reach 2,000 meters to create a spectacular backdrop for narrow stretches of water.
But that is only some of what Oman has to offer. Within the same trip, you can also experience “the Empty Quarter,” a stretch of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. So it’s four countries at once, and you won’t need to pack a coat.
6. Slovenia
Amid the many popular Eastern European destinations, Slovenia can sometimes get lost in the mix. CNN contributor Chris Dwyer describes it as “neither Balkan, Mediterranean, or Alpine. Instead, Slovenia is more of a cocktail of all three, served with its distinctive twist.”
Thanks to the country’s small size, visitors can cover a wide variety of terrain quickly, from the stunning Lake Bled to the lively capital of Ljubljana.
Lonely Planet isn’t the only one noticing. This year, the Michelin Guide awarded stars to seven restaurants in Slovenia.
5. Belize
Do you want to explore Mayan ruins, swim in electric blue waters, and see incredible wildlife? Belize has all this and is more accessible via direct flights from various North American cities.
If you’re waiting for Australia to open its borders, try Belize instead: its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is impressive, and American travelers won’t have to worry about lag time. Schedule.
Also, the cautious will appreciate that the national language of Belize is English.
4. Mauritius
The most searched on Google about the island paradise of Mauritius is “where is Mauritius?”. So let’s take care of that: It’s in the Indian Ocean, about 1,126 kilometers east of Madagascar.
Now that you know where it’s located, here are a few reasons to visit this underrated African destination, courtesy of CNN contributor Tony Smart: “It’s inhabited by a peaceful, multiracial people, dotted with excellent golf courses, offering countless water sports, mountain trekking, hunting, bird watching, luxury resorts, an old colonial capital, excellent food, three and four-star hotels, one of the best botanical gardens in the world, good nightlife, beautiful beach bars, seaside sites UNESCO World Heritage, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world and grand tourer.”
3. Norway
Norway is consistently included in the list of the happiest countries in the world. So what is his secret? CNN asked two of the country’s royals, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for their theories.
Mette-Marit has an answer: “We love being outdoors in nature. If you’re in a Norwegian house on a Sunday and you’re not going to walk in the woods… that’s not good.”
If you want to channel that peaceful energy towards you, head to Bøkeskogen, the northernmost beech forest in the world. It’s about two hours from the capital, Oslo, so you can easily experience city and country life on the same day.
2. Cook Islands
Fun fact: Air New Zealand only operates one flight from the US that does not go to New Zealand. It connects Los Angeles with Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands and the gateway to some of the most beautiful places on the planet.
This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was high on many Lonely Planet employees’ wish lists for 2022 and beyond.
What is offered? Water-focused activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, not to mention a glimpse into the native Maori community at Te Vara Nui Village.
Are you considering choosing a city or region for your next trip? Here are the rest of Lonely Planet’s picks for 2022.
1. Colombia
Colombia, located in the extreme north of South America, has everything a traveler dreams of finding in a country. Incredible natural landscapes, archaeological sites, beautiful colonial towns, and cities, as well as perfect areas and islands to relax on its idyllic beaches after a great trip.
During a 3-week route through the country, you can combine bus transfers with the plane and car rental. To get lost in areas like the Coffee Region, you will get to know many of the important places to see in Colombia, among which are places as incredible as the Valle de Cocora, Cartagena de Indias, Guatapé, the Tatacoa desert or San Agustín, among many others.
We know that one of the concerns of many tourists when traveling to Colombia is the issue of security. In our case, and after more than a month of touring the country, we can assure you that we had a setback or feeling of insecurity at no time. But, of course, you always have to have common sense and move around the most tourist areas in cities like Bogotá or Medellín.
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