Pack your bags, folks – I’ve rounded up the 27 best, most amazing places across the globe for your 2023 vacation! From affordable gems to lavish luxury locales, cultural hotspots to adrenaline-filled adventures, there’s something for every type of traveler this year.
Let’s dive right into the goodness, shall we? No time to waste when fabulous vacations are calling!
🌞 Affordable & Family-Friendly
If you’re watching your wallet but still want an epic vacay, these destinations deliver adventure without the outrageous price tag. From all-inclusive resorts to charming B&Bs, you’ll get your money’s worth and then some!
🇫🇷 France
Ooh la la! France offers tons of affordable ways to soak up culture, food, and art outside of overtouristed Paris. Regions like Bordeaux, Brittany, Lyon, and Nice are wallet-friendly spots with family appeal.
🇹🇭 Thailand
A backpacker’s paradise, Thailand overflows with beaches, markets, street food, and lavish hotels for cheap. Head to lesser-known Kanchanaburi for a tranquil vibe or island hop Thailand’s gorgeous shores.
🇲🇽 Mexico
All-inclusive resorts along Mexico’s coastlines and colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende offer family fun without blowing your budget. The exchange rate stretches your dollar further too!
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Lush rainforests, volcanoes, beaches – Costa Rica dazzles nature lovers without luxury price tags. Base yourself in budget lodges and enjoy free activities like hiking Manuel Antonio National Park.
🇵🇪 Peru
Affordable Peru? Yes please! Cool colonial towns like Arequipa and family stays at eco-lodges in the Sacred Valley provide perfect Bang-for-buck. Machu Picchu impresses too!
🇮🇳 India
India unfurls vibrant culture, cuisine, history and hospitality galore for less than you’d imagine. Stay in heritage homestays in Rajasthan, relax on beach huts in Goa, or absorb Mumbai’s pulsing energy.
🏝 Beach Vacation Bliss
If your perfect vacay involves toes in the sand and sun on your skin, you can’t go wrong with these sublime coastal destinations and islands for 2023.
🇦🇺 Australia
Endless golden beaches and the infinite Great Barrier Reef make Australia a top-notch (and massive!) beach vacay. The Whitsundays, Byron Bay, and Western Australia dazzle ocean lovers.
🇻🇮 US Virgin Islands
Crystal waters, secluded coves, island vibes – the unspoiled US Virgin Islands hit the sweet spot. Better yet, no passport required for US travelers!
🇪🇸 Spain
Beyond the Costa del Sol, Spain’s islands and coastline charm. Lively Mallorca, volcanic Lanzarote, pristine Menorca, and postcard-perfect Ibiza will satiate your inner beach bum.
🇲🇽 Tulum, Mexico
For a chill-out coastal vacay with boho flair, you can’t top Tulum. Stylish eco-resorts, Mayan ruins, cenotes (sinkholes), al fresco dining, and effortlessly cool vibes await.
🇹🇻 Maldives
Yes, it’s a splurge, but also paradise found. Overwater bungalows, world-class diving, white sand beaches – the Maldives deliver luxury island vibes like nowhere else. Start saving now and go!
🇲🇾 Langkawi, Malaysia
Looking for beaches sans crowds and clutter? Langkawi island fits the bill with budget-friendly resorts, jungle-shrouded beaches, and outdoor adventures galore from hiking to diving.
⛰ Mountain Magic
Craving crisp mountain air, epic views, and outdoor adventure in 2023? Say no more – these stunning mountain locales deliver the majestic getaway you seek.
🇳🇵 Nepal
From Everest Base Camp treks to Annapurna Circuit hikes, Nepal unleashes the Himalaya’s incredible magic like nowhere else on earth. Grab your gear and go – this is a trekker’s nirvana!
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Off the well-trodden tourist circuit, Switzerland’s mountain towns like Zermatt, Interlaken, and St. Moritz will wow you with soaring Alpine vistas and countless outdoor activities year-round.
🇵🇪 Peru
The imposing Andes provide the backdrop for memorable Peruvian escapes like hiking the Inca Trail to legendary Machu Picchu, climbing ice-capped peaks, or overnighting in Andean villages.
🇺🇸 Mountain West USA
Domestic mountain bliss awaits across Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and beyond. Revel in the Rockies, Tetons, volcanoes, red rock canyons, lakes, and national park wonders.
🇷🇴 Transylvania, Romania
Romania’s Carpathian Mountains harbor charming Saxon villages, fortified churches, hiking trails, and plentiful outdoorsy activities at budget prices. Count this unexpected region in!
🏕 Eco-Adventures
Make 2023 the year to get back to nature and travel responsibly! These eco-friendly destinations and tour operators make sustainability a priority.
Costa Rica
With lush rainforests and beaches galore, Costa Rica dazzles nature lovers. Top eco-lodges across the country prioritize sustainability for green stays.
African Safaris
An eco-conscious African safari offers the chance to responsibly view incredible wildlife in their natural habitats. Look for safari companies investing in conservation.
Galapagos Islands
Explore Ecuador’s treasured islands sustainably on small ship cruises following strict eco-guidelines to protect this fragile ecosystem and Darwin’s living laboratory.
Sweden
Sweden makes eco-travel a breeze with sustainable practices integrated nationwide. National parks, green cities like Stockholm, and the scenic Bohuslän Coast shine.
Intrepid Travel
This carbon-neutral tour company offers over 1,000 eco-conscious tours worldwide, from hiking Kilimanjaro sustainably to volunteering on Amazon river conservation projects.
✨ Luxe Escapes
Dreaming of an indulgent getaway in 2023? These lavish locales deliver luxury, sophistication, and supreme pampering with exquisite style. Start packing your chanels and caviar!
🇲🇻 Maldives
Picture yourself in an overwater villa bungalow with glass floors displaying reefs below as diving and spa treatments await. The Maldives define luxe.
🇫🇷 French Riviera
Where the rich and famous frolick along France’s stunning Mediterranean coastline. Five-star elegance in Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and island escapes like Côte d’Azur. Ooh la luxe!
🇮🇹 Italy
Beyond Rome and Florence, unwind lakeside in Como or on sun-drenched Sicilian beaches. Italia oozes luxury, especially in wine regions like Tuscany and Piedmont with indulgent estates.
🇯🇵 Japan
Sleek contemporary hotels, renowned spas with natural hot springs, multi-course kaiseki dining experiences, and Japan’s overall dedication to quality and craft make it a luxury lover’s dream.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Base yourself at a breathtaking eco-lodge and helicopter between secluded adventures – New Zealand serves stylish serenity in spades!
🎨 Culture Vultures
absorb art, heritage, music, food and diverse global traditions in these incredible cultural destinations that make 2023 the perfect time to immerse yourself and expand your horizons!
🇮🇳 India
A sensorial feast for the senses, India assaults your senses (in the best way!) with colorful bazaars, aromatic cuisine, Hindu and Islamic architecture, mesmerizing music and dance, and gloriously chaotic city vibes.
🇯🇵 Japan
Bowing, onsen baths, Zen gardens, the tea ceremony, geisha culture, sublime cuisine – Japan revels in its heritage and traditions alongside hypermodern city vibes. An endlessly fascinating cultural kaleidoscope!
🇲🇦 Morocco
Lose yourself in ancient medinas, winding souks, ornate riads, aromatic tagines, vibrant handicrafts, and Islamic architecture in magical Morocco. A visual feast!
🇺🇾 Uruguay
Beyond sizzling steaks, South America’s laidback oasis celebrates artsy Montevideo, Afro-Uruguayan drumming, passionate tango, world-class wines, and gaucho cowboy culture.
🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Mexico
Embrace Mexico’s diversity in underrated Oaxaca, with indigenous Zapotec heritage, fabulous handicrafts, incredible moles, and lively Día de Los Muertos celebrations. A vibrant cultural gem!
😍 Top Overall Picks
If I had to choose my top 5 don’t miss destinations for an incredible 2023 vacation, they would be:
- 🇫🇷 France – For the trifecta of food, wine, culture, history – and affordability too!
- 🇳🇵 Nepal – Trekking the rooftop of the world in the Himalayas is a literal high point!
- 🇲🇻 Maldives – Miles of white sand, turquoise waters, marine life galore – the Maldives dazzle the senses. Save up and go!
- 🇯🇵 Japan – Perfect balance of rich heritage and traditions with futuristic city vibes. Japan should be on every traveler’s list.
- 🇺🇸 USA National Parks – Our country’s natural treasures astound, like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and more. Easy for US travelers and families.
No matter what speaks to you – beaches, mountains, culture, luxury, affordability – an amazing destination awaits in 2023. Get out there, see our incredible world, and create memories to last a lifetime. Let me know if I can help with any other 2023 vacation planning – safe travels!