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| National Geographic Travel. |
Travel itchy? National Geographic has suggested the top 25 destinations around the world for those looking to explore in 2023.
The recommendations, released Oct. 26, ranged from traditional U.S. destinations such as San Francisco and global travel hotspots, including Egypt, to ecotourism sites and sister cities to historic Machu Picchu. It extends to lesser-known locations such as Choquequirao in Peru.
“Together with our team of travel experts and editors, we strive to create locations around the world that offer unique and beneficial experiences for both locals and travelers – rather than letting visitors spoil the environment of their destination. We've dug deep into places that ultimately sustain and support our community," said Amy Alipio, senior editor at National Geographic Travel, in a statement announcing the destination.
"We've also worked hard to bring lesser-known gems to our list, equally inspiring alternatives to overcrowded destinations," she said.
Which US sites made National Geographic's Best of the World 2023 list?
San Francisco ranks as a top family destination. (National Geographic and the National Geographic Traveler editorial team organized recommendations into five categories: family, adventure, culture, nature, and community, with five destinations in each category.)
Utah was named a famous place for adventure. Charleston, South Carolina was chosen for its cultural commitment. Big Bend National Park in Texas has earned its place in natural landscapes. Milwaukee is also included as one of five places doing extraordinary things in environmental protection, sustainability, and ecotourism.
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| Big bend National Park in far West Texas offers some of the most vivid landscapes in the state. |
Switzerland and Colombia for family trips
Switzerland is one of National Geographic magazine's top five destinations to 'educate and illuminate' travelers, with public transportation such as the Cookie Train and the Chocolate Train.
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| The Rigi Railway cogwheel train offers dazzling views of Lake Lucerne as it climbs Mount Rigi, known as Switzerland's 'Queen of the Mountains. |
Colombia was chosen for its rich biodiversity, suitable for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. The Manchester Museum has helped the English city that is home to Manchester United Football Club to be on the list. Turtles abound in Trinidad and Tobago, making the Caribbean country a mecca for turtle tourism.
One of the highlights of landing in San Francisco is the new volunteer-created Crosstown Trail, which covers 17 miles of the city.
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| Roads near the Golden Gate Bridge, The Presidio, San Francisco, California. |
Adventure in Austria, New Zealand, and Peru
For those seeking an "adrenaline-filled adventure for 2023 and beyond," the magazine suggested the Inca ruins of Choquequirao in southern Peru.
Peruvian authorities are spending $260 million to build a cable car that will facilitate access to the ruins. But tourists who want to see it now can travel the 18-mile boardwalk.
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| Hidden in the Peruvian Andes, the Inca ruins of Choquequirao are reachable only on foot for now. |
Other sites for "your next big adventure" on the list include the western Austrian state that created Bergsteigerdorfer, a network of mountaineering villages where travelers get a more authentic alpine experience. It was
Utah, close to home, is home to five national parks and eight national monuments, making it an "adventurer's dream destination," according to National Geographic.
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| Utah's rugged landscape invites adventurous outdoor recreation, like paddleboarding down Moab's Colorado River. |
Mexico's Revillagigedo National Park dubbed the "Galapagos of Mexico" according to National Geographic, is a haven for divers. Skiing, hiking, and biking make New Zealand's South Island a year-round adventure destination.
For culture, look to Egypt, Italy, and South Carolina
Italy has always been a desirable destination for tourists looking to baptize themselves in culture. Some go there just for food. In one of the recent developments, National Geographic cited as a travel consideration for 2023: Italian authorities are restoring the Via Appia, which runs 360 miles from Rome to southern Italy.
Egypt is also an exotic travel destination. A timely consideration: The Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses the tomb of King Tutankhamun, is about to open.
"Museums will become museums of destinations and will change the way people visit Egypt," said National Geographic Society archaeologist Fredrik Hiebert in an article.
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| It shows an aerial view of the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Grand Egyptian Museum under construction. It is scheduled to open later this year in Cairo, Egypt. |
Other cultural hotspots designated by National Geographic: Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, hosts an annual film festival and has a burgeoning craft beer and artisan coffee scene. In central China's Henan province, the Longmen Grottoes contain a large number of Buddhist sculptures. The largest is over 56 feet tall and dates back to the 5th century.
A cultural highlight that helps put Charleston, South Carolina on your list: The International African American Museum, which opens in January. The museum is located near the city's harbor, which served as a slave trade port.
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| South Carolina's largest city, known for its Lowcountry cuisine and walkable urbanism, is tackling the darker side of its history with the opening of the International African American Museum on January 21st. |
Connect with Nature in Big Bend, Botswana, Scotland
Big Bend National Park in West Texas not only offers visitors spectacular scenery, but it also offers "more cactus species than any other national park," as well as birds and other wildlife. The magazine said it included the park as one of its "underrated treasures." "
“Big Bend National Park brings the legends of the Texas frontier to life, but it will also surprise you with its scenery,” says the magazine.
"We Texans knew that, but the rest of the world seems to be in tune," said Austin American Statesman of the park's designation.
Cultural diversity can also be found in the 118-mile park just north of the Texas-Mexico border and south of towns such as Marfa and Alpine.
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| The Santa Elena Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park follows the Rio Grande River. |
Other “wild escapes for nature lovers” recommended by National Geographic include Botswana, where overtourism has given way to voluntourism. The southern African country has many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Known for its eco-friendly tours, Slovenia has a new Green Gourmet Route, an 11-day biking trail for foodies.
In the Scottish Highlands, travelers can see how the northwest of the country is "rewilding" the landscape by reintroducing more trees and wildlife. The islands, the Azores, "are an oasis for 28 species of whales and dolphins, and take sustainable tourism seriously," said Nat Gio.
Smart Attractions in Milwaukee and Greece
As a low-visit destination, Milwaukee "stands out for its groundbreaking efforts in community-led conservation, ecotourism, sustainability, inclusive travel, and meaningful ways for travelers to give back." It was included in the regional category of the list.
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| Milwaukee River kayakers pass the city's historic Third Ward, a redeveloped warehouse district home to the Milwaukee Public Market and other attractions. |
The article called Milwaukee a "Great Lakes city to watch," noting that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel praised Nat Geo for "combining a repulsive blue-collar energy with a close-knit creative community." doing.
Highlighted destinations include the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Riverwalk, the Deer District (and the 2021 World Champion Milwaukee Bucks), neighborhoods such as Bronzeville and the Historic Third Ward, public markets, museums, and, of course, breweries. increase.
Other lesser-visited destinations in the magazine include the Dodecanese Islands in Greece, which seek to involve locals in traditional trades such as fishing and wine-making and promote sustainability It also functions as a tourism diversion.
New travel highlights in Laos – The recently launched bullet train connects the Southeast Asian country for 260 miles for domestic and foreign tourists.
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| Hike Mount Profitis Ilias on Karpathos, one of the lesser-known Greek islands, for rugged coastal views and access to the captivating white rocks at the summit. |
Tourists continue to heed Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo's call to urge travelers to visit the West African country to connect with their African roots before the COVID-19 shutdown. Canada In Alberta, Indigenous tourism is becoming increasingly popular, with parks such as Elk Island National Park offering guided hikes and Cree handicraft workshops.
“From craft breweries and Asia’s best film festival in Busan, South Korea, to women-led Indigenous tourism in Alberta, Canada, to Trinidad and Tobago, home to the world’s densest leatherback turtle colony. Until now, this year's list is a reminder that there's more to explore and experience," said Nathan Rump, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic.
