Got the travel itch? National Geographic has suggested the top 25 destinations around the world for those looking to explore in 2023.
The recommendations, released Oct. 26, range from traditional U.S. destinations like San Francisco and global travel hot spots, including Egypt, to ecotourism spots and lesser-known spots like Choquequirao, Peru, Machu Picchu’s sister city— in history.
“With our team of travel experts and editors, we took a deeper dive into places around the globe that offer unique and rewarding experiences for locals and travelers alike: places where visitors ultimately support and sustain—not harm—the environment of destination. and community,” said Amy Alipio, senior editor at National Geographic Travel, in a statement announcing the destinations.
“We also worked hard to offer lesser-known gems on the list, equally inspiring alternatives to destinations that have become overcrowded,” she said.
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San Francisco made the list as a top family destination. (The National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler editorial teams broke down their recommendations into five categories — family, adventure, culture, nature and community — with five destinations in each category.)
Utah was ranked as a prominent place for adventure; Charleston, South Carolina, was chosen for its cultural efforts. Big Bend National Park in Texas won its spot for natural scenery; and Milwaukee was included as one of five places with outstanding conservation, sustainability and ecotourism initiatives.
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Switzerland, Colombia among recommended family trips
Switzerland, with a public transportation network that includes a cookie train and a chocolate train, is among National Geographic’s top five destinations to “educate and enlighten” travelers.
Colombia was chosen for its rich biodiversity, which is suitable for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Manchester Museum helped the English city, home of Manchester United Football Club, make the list. Turtles abound in Trinidad and Tobago – making the Caribbean nation a mecca for turtle tourism.
Among the highlights that gave San Francisco a place: a new crosstown trail, created by volunteers, covering 17 miles of the city.
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For adventure, Austria, New Zealand and Peru are the places to go
For those looking for “adrenaline-filled adventures in 2023 and beyond,” the magazine suggested the remote Inca ruins of Choquequirao in southern Peru.
Peruvian officials are spending $260 million to build a cable car making it easier to access the ruins. But tourists who want to see them can now make the trip over 18 miles of hiking trails.
Other places for your “next great adventure” on the list included the western states of Austria, which have created the Bergsteigerdörfer, a network of mountaineer villages where travelers get a more authentic alpine experience.
Closer to home, Utah has five national parks and eight national monuments making it “an adventurer’s dream destination,” said National Geographic.
Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park — nicknamed the “Galapagos of Mexico,” says National Geographic — is a diver’s haven.
Skiing, hiking and biking make New Zealand’s South Island a year-round adventure destination.
For culture, look at Egypt, Italy, and South Carolina
Italy is always a desired destination for tourists looking to immerse themselves in culture – some go just for the food. One of the latest developments cited by National Geographic as making it a travel consideration for 2023: Italian officials are restoring the Appian Way, which runs 360 miles from Rome to southern Italy.
Egypt, too, remains an exotic place to travel; a timely consideration: the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses the tomb of King Tut.
“It will become a destination museum and change the way people visit Egypt,” Fredrik Hiebert, the National Geographic Society archaeologist, said in the article.
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Other cultural hotspots identified by National Geographic: South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan, which has an annual film festival and a growing craft beer and coffee scene; and central China’s Henan Province, where the Longmen Grottoes house many Buddhist sculptures – the largest is more than 56 meters high – dating back to the 5th century.
A cultural highlight that helps earn Charleston, South Carolina a spot on the list: the International African American Museum, which opened in January. The museum is located near the city’s port, which served as a slave trading port.
Connect with nature in Big Bend, Botswana and Scotland
Big Bend National Park in west Texas offers visitors epic views, plus “more species of cacti than any other national park,” as well as birds and other wildlife, the magazine said, including the park in its “under-the-radar treasures.” . “
“Big Bend National Park brings the legend of the Texas frontier to life — but the scenery will also surprise you,” the magazine said.
“We Texans knew it, but it seems the rest of the world is catching up,” noted the Austin American-Statesman in defining the park.
There are also diverse cultures found in the 118-mile park, which is located north of the Texas-Mexico border and south of cities like Marfa and Alpine.
Other “wild getaways for nature lovers” recommended by National Geographic included Botswana, where backpacking is being replaced by volunteering. The southern African country is home to many game reserves and national parks. Slovenia, known for its eco-friendly tours, has a new Green Gourmet Route, an 11-day bike trail for foodies, the magazine said.
In the Scottish Highlands, travelers can see how the northwest region of the country is “rejuvenating” its landscapes with more trees and reintroduced wildlife. And the Azores — nine islands off the coast of Portugal — are “an oasis for 28 species of whales and dolphins … (that) take sustainable tourism seriously,” Nat Geo said.
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Milwaukee and Greece among smart tourist spots
Milwaukee was included in the list’s community category, for less-visited destinations “that stand out for community-led conservation efforts; innovative work in ecotourism, sustainability and inclusive travel; and meaningful ways for travelers to give back.”
The article calls Milwaukee “a Great Lakes city to watch,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote, noting that Nat Geo complimented how it “combines a blue-collar energy with a tight-knit creative community “.
Featured destinations include the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Riverwalk, the Deer District (and the 2021 World Champion Milwaukee Bucks), neighborhoods like Bronzeville and the Historic Third Ward, the Public Market, the Art Museum, and, of course, the breweries.
The magazine’s other less-visited destinations included Greece’s Dodecanese islands, where locals aim to involve locals in traditional trades such as fishing and winemaking that also serve as sustainable tourist diversions.
A new travel highlight for Laos? A recently launched bullet train connecting 260 miles of the Southeast Asian country for domestic and international tourists.
Tourists continue to heed the call of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who before the COVID-19 lockdown urged travelers to visit the West African country to connect with their African roots. And in Alberta, Canada, indigenous tourism is a growing pursuit with parks such as Elk Island National Park offering guided hikes and Cree creation workshops.
“From artisan factories and the best Asian film festival in Busan, South Korea, to women-led indigenous tourism in Alberta, Canada and the world’s densest leatherback nesting site in Trinidad and Tobago, the list of this year reminds us that there is still so much out there to explore and experience.” said Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief of National Geographic.
Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.
