Still planning your holiday calendar? Hot destinations to visit in 2023

If 2022 was the year of multigenerational family getaways, soul-soothing workcations and meaningful solo travel experiences, 2023 will only encourage you to travel deeper through immersive, sustainable, and authentic experiences. "The years of the pandemic gave us a chance to reminisce and acknowledge that travel should not be taken for granted. 2023 will be all about the desire for travel to be a way to seek unapologetic moments of happiness and escapism to counteract the heavy realities of our news feeds," Santosh Kumar, Country Manager of a booking portal.This year, millennials and young professionals will be keen to explore offbeat experiences and adventure activities. "Destinations offering an adrenaline rush with trekking, paragliding, white water rafting, scuba diving, skiing, ice skating, tobogganing, and more are in demand. More and more people are also seeking road trips and staycations to nearby offbeat destinations. Eclectic stays like private villas, colonial bungalows, heritage homes and treehouses, as well as glamping will be preferred," says Rajeev Kale who works in a senior management position with a travel booking portal.
Looking into your travel plans for 2023? We list the best places to visit
1. Take a road trip to BHUTAN

Take a break from busyness and slow down in Bhutan, a destination that remains largely untouched by development. From epic landscapes, breathtaking treks and restorative hot stone baths to archery, age-old crafts and delish Ema Datshi, a local delicacy of homemade cheese and flavoursome chillies, Bhutan has it all. For Indians, Bhutan is easily accessible by road and one can do the overland border crossing to get into or out of the country. While there are many ways to reach the mystical country, the most common and convenient way is from the border of Jaigao-Phuentsholing. Thimpu, Paro, Bhumtang and Punakha are among the must-visit places in Bhutan. It is mandatory to be accompanied by a guide. A Sustainable Development Fee of Rs 1,200 per night is levied on Indian tourists in Bhutan.
Tip: Make sure to visit the immigration office in Phuentsholing and get a valid permit. Also, you must have an itinerary or day-wise plan, prior hotel booking in Bhutan and proof of the same.
Best time to visit: October to December as the sky is blue and the air is fresh. January and February are colder. Visit in late spring to watch the rhododendrons bloom beautifully.
2. Cruise the river Nile in EGYPT

A country at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, Egypt boasts a 7,000-year-old history. Explore its colourful markets, umpteen museums, stunning mosques, mesmerising Pharaonic sites, natural and manmade architectural wonders, traditional culinary delights and more. When here, consider sailing the Nile along the lush Nile Valley surrounded by golden dunes. Witness ancient Egyptian monuments such as Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel. If you have limited time, book one of the short felucca cruises on the Nile, in Aswan, Luxor or Cairo. Even the Red Sea is a favourite destination for travellers who are looking to sunbathe by the warm sea.
Best time to visit: The peak season is October to February when Egypt has a mild and sunny winter with occasional rain. For fewer crowds, visit during spring. Avoid visiting in summer as it can be scorching hot.
3. Plan a culinary vacation to VIETNAM

Touted to be one of the hottest travel destinations in 2023, Vietnam is ideal for both budget and luxury travellers. The country is more than beaches and jungles, rice paddies and waterfalls, pagodas, and Ao dai (the traditional silk, tunic dress suit worn by Vietnamese women). Make sure to visit cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang that blend old-school charm with 21st-century style and convenience. However, the highlight of your trip to Vietnam is its fascinating food heritage and history, distinctive and unique flavours and iconic recipes. From street food delicacies and fine dining to cafes serving a wide variety of tea and coffee, Vietnam is sure to impress the experimental foodie in you.
Did you know? Vietnamese street food ranks among the best in the world.
Tip: Make sure to sample Vietnamese rice and noodles, fish and meat dishes, typical snacks and nibbles like rice flour crackers, ice-creams and local fruits like mangosteen, logan, dragonfruit and more.
Best time to visit: Between March and April when rainfall is low and temperatures are milder.
4. Explore human and natural heritage in ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA

Only an hour's flight from the port city of Jeddah, AlUla in Saudi Arabia largely remains undiscovered. Capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan which controlled the caravan trade. Plan a trip to this hidden gem for delectable Middle Eastern food and a journey through preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings and natural and manmade monuments. Among must-visits are its Old Town, Hegra - Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO Heritage Site, Jabal Afil or the Elephant Rock, the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah and AlJadidah, and AlUla’s Arts and Culture District.
Best time to visit: Winter, typically October through April. This is when the temperatures range from a pleasant 10–25 degrees Celsius.
5. Dive into art, history and horticulture in PHILADELPHIA, USA
Philadelphia is certainly one of the most underrated cities in the USA. During your next trip to the massive continent, spend a few days in Philly or the City of Brotherly Love and its countryside. Located within driving distance of Philadelphia, the Brandywine Valley is packed with art, gardens, shopping, breweries and vineyards. Not for nothing is Philadelphia known as America's Garden Capital. The crown jewel of the region is the world-renowned Longwood Gardens which combines the best of Italian, French, and English traditions to create one of America’s most memorable gardens. Stroll its 1,077 acres offering 20 outdoor gardens, a breathtaking conservatory and the most stunning fountain collection in North America.
Best time to visit: March to May, when the city thaws from the cold winter or during spring for photogenic cherry blossoms around the city.
6. Embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle in TICINO, SWITZERLAND
While Indians love their favourite Swiss cities like Bern, Zurich, Interlaken and Lucerne, it's time to experience the country's Mediterranean flair in Ticino which is the Italian-speaking region of the country. Sunny Ticino boasts a large number of colourful lake-side villages and towns, each with its interesting history and unique personality. Marvel at the architectural wonders in Lugano, Locarno and Bellionzona and take in the nostalgic atmosphere in the little villages of Marcote and Gandria. Dine in one of many rustic grottos, typical Ticinese village taverns with a cave cellar and open-air benches and feast on Italian specialities like homemade pasta, pizza, polenta and more.
Tip: The Italian city of Milan is only an hour away from Lugano which means you can easily club Ticino with your trip to Italy.
Best time to visit: July through September, when humidity is lowest and temperatures are pleasant.
EXPERT SPEAK
"New emerging destinations like Vietnam, Cambodia, Baku, Almaty and Azerbaijan will continue to witness a high uptick in 2023, in addition to easy and quick visa destinations like Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Maldives. Australia, Turkiye Egypt, Jordan, Kenya and South Africa remain preferred long and mid-haul destinations"
- Daniel D’Souza, President of a travel company
"The pandemic altered the way customers plan their trips and their expectations and priorities have significantly changed during the past two years, especially when it comes to the mode of travel and stay. Sustainable, responsible and regenerative travel is in vogue. Luxury travel or once-in-a-lifetime experiences will be preferred in 2023"
- Rajeev Kale, who works in a senior management position with a travel booking portal.
TOP DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS FOR 2023
1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
2. Meghalaya
3. Arunachal Pradesh
4. Sunderban, West Bengal
5. Kutch, Gujarat
6. Kuno, Madhya Pradesh
7. Gokarna and Udupi, Karnataka
8. Bikaner, Rajasthan
9. Nagaland
10. Binsar, Uttarakhand