Wondering what are the best places to visit in 2023? Us too – so we decided to ask a panel of hospitality experts to find out.
Their answers were literally all over the place (which is a very good thing in this case). After reopening their borders after years of COVID-19 shutdowns, countries such as Japan and Singapore are leading the way with a roaring return of travel to the Asian and Australian continents. Also inclined? In what Virtuoso managing director Misty Belles calls “intentional isolation” vacations, travelers head to remote and remote uncrowded locations to get away from it all. Pack your bags for Yukon, Chilean Patagonia or Greenland.
And then there are the hotel openings. One classic city, in particular, is seeing the arrival of several new high-end properties, adding a refreshing twist to this already popular European destination.
Below, find 10 places already trending for 2023.
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Yukon Territory, Canada
Our travelers are driven by a desire to experience more powerful discoveries and ways of life, and we explore Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Yukon, an untamed and largely undiscovered part of Canada. The Northwest Territories is full of wildlife, native-owned lodges, and unique locations to see the splendor of the Northern Lights – depending on the season; The Yukon is marked by historic landmarks, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. However, what makes it special are the locals you meet along the way
Guatemala
Although Guatemala has long sat in the shadow of its more widely traveled Latin American counterparts, this is a misstep: it offers the real ‘best’ without the crowds and is one of the most culturally rich LATAM destinations, and it’s about time. A moment in the spotlight. Obviously, visit Guatemala to absorb the stunning natural beauty of the surroundings and connect deeply with its people. The newly opened, luxurious, and intimate Villa Bokeh is a game changer for Antigua and marks one of the most advanced luxury hotel offerings to date.
Arctic
Antarctica became the 2022 darling of adventure travel, and look to the Arctic to be the next “must-see” destination. Both Iceland and now Greenland offer “intentional isolation” a chance to escape the crowds and explore your personal boundaries and people will flock next for unspoiled beauty and glimpses of the Northern Lights.
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Málaga, Spain
More Airbnb guests searched Málaga for travel in 2023 than any other city in the world. Málaga has enjoyed a cultural renaissance in the past decade, making it one of the lively cultural centers of the beautiful Costa del Sol. Several new museums have opened there, including the Center Pompidou, a modern art treasure housed in a multi-colored glass cube. The street art scene is incredible, with colorful murals covering the entire neighborhood.
Benguera Island, Mozambique
Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands, known for their white beaches and diverse marine life. The second largest of them all, Benguera, has quietly emerged as a wild and secret high-end getaway. In the newly opened Kisawa Sanctuary, or beyond Bengurah Island – either way, you’ll enjoy miles of remote tropical travel where the coastline doesn’t see a person or a building. Take a ride on a dhow, a traditional African fishing boat, or ask your lodge to spot a dugong (a rare sea cow) for you.
Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands, known for their white beaches and diverse marine life. The second largest of them all, Benguera, has quietly emerged as a wild and secret high-end getaway. In the newly opened Kisawa Sanctuary, or beyond Bengurah Island – either way, you’ll enjoy miles of remote tropical travel where the coastline doesn’t see a person or a building. Take a ride on a dhow, a traditional African fishing boat, or ask your lodge to spot a dugong (a rare sea cow) for you.
Basilicata, Italy
Already crossed Puglia and Sicily off the bucket list? As an avid explorer of southern Italy, my money is on Basilicata as the emerging region to keep an eye on (and ideally, travel) in 2023. Tourists may already be familiar with the ancient caves, winding hilltop streets and ruins. The baroque church-town of Matera served as the backdrop for a high-adrenaline car chase in the recent Bond film No Time to Die – but this still-unspoilt region boasts pristine beaches, fascinating history and lip-smacking. Fresh seafood. Looking for the perfect foundation? Head to Maratea, the so-called “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian”, where the founders of the Puglia landmark Borgo Egnazia have opened the charming five-star Hotel Santavenere.
Japan
Japan is on everyone’s bucket list and the high demand is incredible. Pre-pandemic, this was the “it” destination, so combined with the renewed interest in the cultural experiences Japan has to offer, you have residual demand from those who previously had to cancel their plans.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh may have started in the 1200s, but 800 years later, it still shows new surprises. The recently opened Gleneagles Townhouse effortlessly mixes traditional and modern touches: abstract art hangs under an elegant 19th-century dome, and a restaurant offers both avant-garde cocktails and Sunday roasts. Later this year, the city will welcome 100 Princes Street, a luxury boutique hotel inspired by Alexander McQueen as well as Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotel.
Douro Valley, Portugal
If you’re looking for some of the most impressive 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 an hour or two’s drive east of Porto, and the car journey alone serves as a highlight: the narrow, snaking roads that wind down the hills feel like entering another world entirely as you pass the beauty. Vineyards and charming villages in its hills. There’s a lot of history here, with the ancient pilgrimage town of Lamego a highlight with its tiled staircases and majestic churches – as well as a growing list of luxury properties, the Six Senses here being particularly spectacular. But above all, it is a place to live the good life, Portuguese style, to relax and have fun.
Patagonia National Park, Chile
In 2018, Chile set aside 11 million acres of land for national parks, the largest private land donation to a country by a private entity. The conservation effort of the Tompkins Conservation Foundation (named for philanthropist and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins of the North Face and Esprit Endowment) led Chile to greatly expand its preservation of the pristine Patagonian desert. Covering over 750,000 acres in the Australian region of Aysén today, Patagonia National Park was established on land donated to Chile and is part of the new Patagonia National Park Network. What makes this area stand out is its inherent biodiversity and remoteness – miles away from the more visited areas of Argentine Patagonia, it’s easily accessible under the radar.