Where should you definitely travel to? 15 exciting travel destinations for 2023
2023 is the year to explore the world! With borders reopening and the last of the travel restrictions being eased, now is the perfect time to consider all your travel options for this year.
If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure or extraordinary destination, here's a list of the best destinations to visit in 2023. The selected destinations feature delicious food, exciting nature, special cultures and spectacular national parks. Find places that are unknown to you as well as perennial favourites that can be visited again and again. These are viel-unterwegs.de's best travel destinations in 2023 for the whole world!
Japan
After imposing restrictions on international tourists for over two years, officials finally announced the reopening of the country in October last year. Having been ranked first among the world's best destinations in the 2021 Travel and Tourism Development Index, Japan may be one of the most popular post-Covid destinations.
We can only encourage you to Japan trip Japan. Once you've been there, you'll rave and dream about it again and again. Due to restrictions, we too were unable to travel to Japan and started learning Japanese instead. Not to mention the delicious Japanese cuisinewhich we can't even come close to cooking ourselves at home. The quality in Japan is just too good (which still didn't stop us from trying it).
Our highlights included: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Miyajima Island, Kanazawa and Osaka (but actually everything was very exciting and great).
Our tip for 2023: Japan should be your first choice for a longer trip! Then it will soon be: 日本へようこそ (Welcome to Japan).
Kyoto, one of the most special holiday destinations in the world Prague
Not sure where to take your next city break? How about visiting the Czech capital Prague?
There are the famous sights like Prague Castle, the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge that you really have to see. But even if you've been to Prague before, there's always plenty more to discover. From countless delicious cafés and restaurants to parks in all parts of the city and a boat trip on the Vltava, there's never a dull moment. We were here again just last year and can highly recommend the city on the Vltava for 2023 as well.
Dancing House Prague 
Karlsruhe
The third-largest city in Baden-Württemberg invites you to visit royal palaces, stroll through well-tended parks, visit vineyards, visit interactive art museums and enjoy Baden delicacies - all in one weekend!
Not many people have the "fan city"ofKarlsruhe on their radar when it comes to their next city break in Germany. However, the city has much more to offer as a destination than one might expect. The city is easy to reach from all over Germany by Deutsche Bahn, so you can arrive stress-free and start exploring straight away. One of the underrated destinations you should put on your list.
Sweden by canoe
Fancy an adventure paddling on the lakes of Dalsland & Värmland? For us, one of the most beautiful trips last year. Not only nature lovers will love this western Swedish region near the Norwegian border.
Here you can leave your everyday life behind and travel with canoe, tent and food from island to island on one of Sweden's many lake landscapes to gather impressions and experiences. It was a first for us - we are not canoeing professionals either and have never been out overnight and for several days at a time.
With almost 100,000 lakes and many small islands, Sweden has exactly what you need for canoeing: lots of water and nature. There are many beautiful routes that are also suitable for beginners and families.
View at the great Dome shelter in western Sweden's Östra Silen 
Iceland
The land of fire and ice offers pristine landscapes, breathtaking natural attractions and exciting cultural experiences. If you haven't yet considered Iceland as a destination, 2023 is the year to do so. With extraordinary nature, and sights - spontaneously enhanced by a volcanic eruption - and activities such as whale watching, puffin toursor hiking, there have never been more reasons to travel to Iceland.
We too have booked and are going by ferry for five weeks to Icelandto explore the island extensively with my camper. Then it's off again to the Faroe Islands, an equally exciting destination that is still a bit of an insider tip.
Jordan
Magnificent ancient architecture in Petra and Amman, desert adventures in Wadi Rum, deep sea diving on the Red Sea, floating on the Dead Sea, great family hospitality and delicious Jordanian cuisine are just some of the reasons to visit Jordan.
Exploring the lost city of Petra is one of the best travel experiences for 2023. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is literally even more impressive than it is possible to put into words. Follow the paths through the stone desert to discover incredible ancient buildings carved in pink stone.
Even more incredible than the lost city itself is the fact that 85% of the city is still undiscovered! Petra is rightly called one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of its history and setting. As such, it should be at the top of your bucket list!
USA Road Trip Chicago - New Orleans
What's the best way to experience the USA in all its facets? A 4-week road trip from north to south. Therefore we drove in 4 weeks with a rental car from Chicago to New Orleans. A road trip from Chicago to New Orleans is an impressive journey between two of America's most legendary music cities. In addition we visited the other highlights like Nashville, Memphis, the Mississippi Delta and really cool places in the state of Louisiana visited.
History and surroundings rightly called one of the seven wonders of the world. As such, it should be at the top of your bucket list!
Chicago Bean with Skyline in the Herbs 
Clarksdale in the Mississippi Delta: Cotton Navarre in Spain
If you're looking for a Spanish destination off the beaten track, the autonomous kingdom of Navarre is definitely for you. Everyone knows Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia and the islands of the Canaries and Balearic Islands. But the region in the north-east of the country is still underestimated. Without reason.
The capital and tourist centre of Navarre is Pamplona, where the famous annual San Fermín bull race takes place in early July. Navarre and its great variety of nature and activities, as well as not least the warm-hearted people, have inspired us!
Highlights in Navarre were of course Pamplona and an extensive pintxos tour. An e-bike tour in the Pyrenees and especially the small town of Ochogavía and the Valle de Salazar, Selva de Irati - in the heart of the Pyrenees - really took our fancy.
The semi-desert Bardenas Reales de Navarra-Tudela is also not yet known to everyone. Yet the moon-like landscape has also served as a backdrop for Lord of the Rings and many music and advertising videos.
Valle de Salazar, Selva de Irati - exploring the heart of the Pyrenees by e-mountain bike Bardenas Reales Navarra 
Pinxtos Tour in Pamplona Colombia
Great street art in Bogota and Medellín (tour of Comuna 13), incredible nature, impressive sights, hospitable people, beautiful beaches, delicious food - seriously, Colombia's coolest cities offer fantastic activities for a round trip by public transport.
Bogota, Medellín and Cartagena are the most popular places with tourists. At the latest when visiting the Tayrona National Park or on the hike to the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City Trek) you will love the country and the people.
Totally underestimated and much safer than Mexico. The only drawback: a basic knowledge of Spanish is a real advantage here if you are travelling on your own in Colombia.
Street art in the Comuna 13 in Medellín 
Palomino on the Caribbean coast of Colombia 
Guatape near Medellín is an absolute highlight of a trip to Colombia Tanzania
We were in Tanzania shortly before the end of the year. We successfully mastered the biggest adventure with the ascent of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain and one of the 7 Summits. But not everyone wants to take on this effort. So why did Tanzania end up on this list? Simple:
The East African country holds a seemingly endless list of extraordinary sights, among them is the Kilimanjaro is just one of them. The Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Craterwith its incredible density of animals, Tarangire National Park and the Zanzibar Archipelago with its gorgeous white sandy beaches are just five of the many highlights. We ourselves know one thing for sure: we'll be back, because unfortunately we didn't have time for the national parks to the south, where you can also see chimpanzees.
Leopard fleeing from a lion in the Serengeti, Tanzania. Uhuru Peak summit Kilimanjaro Tanzania 
Tarangire National Park Elephants Yerevan (Armenia)
Yerevan (also Erewan or Jeriwan) immediately captured our hearts. The capital of Armenia is only a four-hour flight from Germany and is an absolute highlight in the Caucasus due to its culture, lifestyle, bars, cafés and predominantly its delicious cuisine . Curious travellers should definitely visit this exciting city (and the country anyway) - as long as the region remains so wonderfully untouched by tourism.
Yerevan Cascade Complex Western Australia
Don't fancy the European grey winter either? Then it's time to turn lifelong dreams into reality and start planning a dream trip to Western Australia's colourful and diverse landscapes and year-round sunshine. Perth is four hours closer than Sydney and only a short flight from Singapore. You can soak up the Australian sun here in one of the most unapologetic and unforgettable places in the world, exploring the Outback in all its nuances.
Highlights of a Western Australia road trip are the beautiful beaches in the Cape Le Grand National Parkk near EsperanceQuokkas on Rottnest Islandnear Perththe wine region around Magartet River, the François Perron National Park or the Karijini National Park. You can swim with you can swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef. - an experience you will never forget.
→ Everything you need to know for your trip to Western Australia at a glance
Karijini National Park: glowing red gorges and natural pools 
Perth's skyline from Kings Park 
Cape Peron in François Péron National Park in Australia, one of the most beautiful sights on the west coast. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's endlessly beautiful sights deserve a top spot among the best holiday destinations. Spend at least 2 to 3 weeks in Sri Lanka and take fascinating train rides that pass through tea plantations, green mountains and dense jungles. Next, hop off the train into an open-top jeep for a safari in one of Sri Lanka's many national parks, home to leopards, monkeys and elephants.
Explore the cultural triangle with its rich culture, visit Galle and Colombo, the most famous cities and finally relax on one of the many long sandy beaches on the south coast. Go surfing, take a whale-watching tour, chill out in beach bars with live music and fresh coconuts. Above all, Sri Lanka is popular as a surfer's mecca, one of the best surfing countries in the world.
Mecklenburg with motorhome
How about taking a Mecklenburg-Schwerin road trip with a motorhome? The highlights around Schwerin, away from the coast? On this 1-week trip through Mecklenburg-Schwerin by motorhome, we will take you to picturesque towns, magnificent castles and palaces and immerse you in the enchanted forests and lakescapes of Mecklenburg. We travel along the Elbe and Elde rivers towards the Mecklenburg lake district, visiting monasteries, fishermen and archaeological sites.
As a southern German, I had frankly never heard of most of these places. I didn't know Boizenburg/Elbe, Vielank, Dömitz or Dümmer See (Perlin). But now I know again what travelling is all about: discovering unknown holiday places that not every guidebook or travel blog mentions and knows.
Lapland in winter
Have you ever been to Lapland for a winter holiday? No? Do you think it's just too cold, the days are far too short and there's nothing to see except snow and reindeer?
Then you are completely wrong. Finland, the land of 1,000 lakes, is also a really attractive destination in winter. For adventurers and winter fans, it's a real winter wonderland with 200 days of guaranteed snow a year.
There are many reasons why you must visit Finland in winter. One of them is the guaranteed snow, the other is the Northern Lights, which you can only see in the far north.
There are many other reasons why winter holidays in Finland are becoming increasingly popular with tourists. One of the most important is the unspoilt nature: if you want to go cross-country skiing or skiing in breathtaking landscapes, go on a husky safari or snowshoeing in a snow-covered fairytale world, Lapland is the place for you.
We hope you enjoyed our tips for the most beautiful destinations in the world. Thank you for reading to the end.
What destinations do you recommend for 2023?
Leave us a comment below and we'll be interested to see which places are in your top 10 travel plans. Do you prefer round trips or island hopping in Asia with its gorgeous islands? Do you like short trips to cities with culture and culinary delights? We can't wait to see what's on your bucket list.