Planning your next big travel experience for 2023? While there are many places around the globe that we would love to see, National Geographic the annual roundup of top travel destinations for the coming year – made up of “places filled with wonder, rewarding for travelers of all ages and supportive of local communities and ecosystems” – reminds us of the incredible people, sights and cultures we can learn about even on this earth.
Divided into five categories (Community, Nature, Culture, Family and Adventure) and reported by the paper’s global editors, National GeographicTop 25 destinations of 2023 focus on spots around the world that are “under the radar, ahead of the curve and ready for you to explore.”
See also: The 20 best places to travel in November outside of Canada.
Which travel destination in Canada made the list?
Of these 25 destinations, one country in Canada made the list: Alberta’s indigenous tourists.
Listed as one of five destinations under the category “Community: Where Conservation Benefits Everyone”, National Geographic highlights the “Indigenous Tourism Wages” in Alberta as a way for travelers to “experience how old traditions and contemporary perspectives intersect.”
In a post celebrating National Geographic recognition of “tourism experiences enabled by Indigenous peoples in Alberta”, Alberta Indigenous Tourism shows some examples of “amazing Alberta experiences being made possible by Indigenous entrepreneurs.” Here are some of their featured businesses:
- Found near Banff National Park, Painted warriors “shares Ojibway, Cree and Mohawk heritage by reconnecting visitors to the land through wilderness education, indigenous traditions and hands-on training. Painted Warriors offers traditional experiences (such as hunting and archery) while challenging gender norms and stereotypes for Indigenous women.
- Alberta’s first Métis Cultural Interpretive Centre, The Métis Passis an Indigenous women-led business located about an hour outside of Edmonton.
- Jasper and Matrix Bauer Company, Warrior Women“shares traditional knowledge of Cree land, culture and stories” through experiences such as plant walks and drum circles.
- Owned by Diana Frost and based in Calgary, Coloring it Forward shares the stories of Indigenous peoples and history through art. Working with Indigenous artists and elders, Coloring it Forward creates books, cards and magazines
- One of our picks for Canadian small businesses that are thriving on TikTok, Mallory Yawnghwe’s company, Indigenous boxoffers a seasonal subscription box filled with locally made items from this land.
- Melrene Savoy Native Diva Creations combines modern style with traditional beadwork practices to create jewelry that has been shown to international acclaim (including last year’s New York Fashion Week).
You may also like: 10 Young Indigenous Women Leading the Way for the Next Generation.
What are National Geographic’s 25 Surprising Places and Experiences for 2023?
You can see the full list via National Geographic hereor see the top countries by category below:
community
- Sustainable tours led by women in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece.
- Celebrate the culture (and breweries) of the Great Lakes in Milwaukee, USA.
- Experience Indigenous-powered tourism in Alberta, Canada.
- Take the new high speed train in Laos.
- Explore black heritage and fashion in Ghana.
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Nature
- Consider Botswana’s biodiversity.
- Learn about gliding in the Scottish Highlands.
- Enjoy a gastro-tourism (AKA foodie) bike tour in Slovenia.
- Explore the landscape at Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA.
- Celebrate sustainability programs in the Azores.
Connected: 10 health centers to visit in Canada.
culture
- Visit the Great Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.
- Enjoy the film festival and drink craft beer in Busan, South Korea.
- See the history of Europe’s ancient “super highway” along the Appian Way in Italy.
- Learn about culture and history at the International African American Museum in Charleston, USA.
- Gaze upon the stone statues of the Longmen Grottoes in Hunan, China.
Connected: Cheapest times to travel to these popular destinations.
Family
- Take the rails through the alpine towns in Switzerland.
- Help save the turtles in Trinidad and Tobago.
- Enjoy the views and enjoy the bonfires and walks in San Francisco, USA.
- bird clock, Beauty style, in Colombia.
- Explore art — and football — in Manchester, UK.
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Adventure
- Journey to an isolated Inca site in Choquequirao, Peru.
- Get an adrenaline rush in New Zealand.
- Adventure your way through Utah, USA.
- Hike through the Bergsteigerdörfer network of mountain villages in Austria.
- See marine life like sharks and manta rays at Revillagigedo National Park in Mexico.
So if you’re hoping to indulge your wanderlust in 2023, it looks like there are plenty of incredible options – starting right here on earth.
