With the start of the new year, we all rush to create our new lists, goals and resolutions.
Start a new hobby? Launch that startup you always dreamed about? Or finally become a morning person? No matter your intentions for the new year, there’s one goal you should add to your list: travel more. For some people, it’s about exploring the world further, for others it’s about understanding themselves better, and for some, it’s simply about detaching, having a fun relaxing break, away from the daily routine.
Whatever your travel intentions are, here are my suggestions for countries to visit in 2023 across different purposes. I hope this list will inspire your next travel destination.
FOR SELF-EXPLORATION – MYANMAR
We all pass through life crises. Trying to figure out the city we want to live in, the job we want work at, the degree we would like to pursue or the partner we want to spend the rest of our life with… Understanding who we are and what our values are is a continuous, challenging process that we all pass through.
But hey! Sometimes a trip could help. So, take a leap of faith and hop on a plane. Myanmar will definitely do.
I was struck by Myanmar’s peaceful setting – the nature, the people, the culture and specially the breathless views. Myanmar is your place for self-exploration. The country is known for its golden-topped temples, monasteries, and hidden pagodas, where meditation is a way of life. There is no better place to digitally detox and pursue inner fulfillment.
Bagan for example is the perfect place to walk or bike around the different temples. The city is packed with religious monuments that locals roam around, meditate, and immerse in on a daily basis. The country also provides many mindfulness programs, if you are interested in having a structured mindfulness journey, or you can easily interact with the monks around the country and make up your own journey. Whatever you do, Myanmar will definitely help you decompress, get out of your usual work environment and start answering some of the questions you have.
I should warn you that unfortunately the country has been experiencing some political instability recently, so definitely check the news before you book your flights!
FOR CULTURAL RICHNESS – ITALY
Mamma Mia! Italia!
Home to the Roman Empire, and the birthplace of the renaissance, Italy is definitely the place to go if you are searching for culture, EXTRAORDINARY culture. The country has so much art, history, architecture, and religion. It is in fact home to the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the world (around 58). Not to mention the amazing cuisine it offers, consistently being ranked as one of the top countries with the best food in the world. Offering the best wines you can ever taste as well. Your taste buds will definitely enjoy that cultural journey.
And! there is more, Italy is also leading in the fashion industry with so many high-quality craftsmanship, tailoring techniques and luxury designs.
You will come back from your trip with a mind filled with knowledge, a stomach filled with stuffed kilos, and a luggage filled with extra weight.
Italians love to enjoy life, and you definitely will feel the same, when visiting their country.
FOR CRAZY ADVENTURE – SOUTH AFRICA
Are you looking to scream your lungs out, feel your heart drop and experience some adrenaline-pumping activities?
Well, South Africa is the perfect destination for you. The diverse landscapes it offers allows for a wide range of crazy fun activities. Jumping from the world’s highest bungee jumping bridge, experiencing the wilderness through thrilling safaris, diving with white sharks, hiking to breathtaking views, are among the many activities the country has to offer.
Expect stunning landscapes, beautiful lakes, waterfalls and spectaculars plains and forests. The adrenaline you will feel in that country will have you want to come back again and again.
I loved my time in South Africa and I am sure you will do too.
FOR A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE – JAPAN
Okay, if you want to live in the future, you can already do that. Head to Japan and you will experience what 2040 looks like.
Japanese have mastered technology like no other country in the world. The country is pioneering in innovation, across all sectors: transportation, food, environment, fashion, tourism and many more. It is the land of endless possibilities, both bizarre and incredibly wise.
From robots to super-fast trains to impressive vending machines, Japanese have a very different way of life. Even their toilets are very sci-fi, with so many features such as heating the seat or checking your blood pressure..you will forget why you sat down in the first place.
They master the art of making every detail more convenient. I was so impressed when I visited, and I already can’t wait to go back again.
What are you waiting for? Go book your ticket now, you need to see what 2040 looks like!
FOR TIME BY THE WATER – US VIRGIN ISLANDS
I went to the USVI, specifically because I wanted beach time and water activities, and it was a great decision. Not only did I come back with a fully lasting tan, but I also saw some of the clearest waters and coolest sea creatures there.
USVI is home to the most beautiful beaches, full of white sand and turquoise water. The sun is always shining, keeping the water to a comfortable temperature, that will make you abandon your beach chair all day. In addition there are all the water activity you can think of, sailing, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and so much life underneath those beautiful crystal-clear waters. You will be shocked by how much fun you can have by the water. Not to mention the breath-taking sunsets you will experience and the delicious sea food you can taste. If you are craving beach, sun and sand, you know where to go this year.
FOR BREATHLESS NATURE – NEW ZEALAND
Haven’t been to New Zealand but it is on my list to visit, ASAP. Researching the country and seeing pictures, New Zealand seems like the perfect place to go if you want to immerse in breathtaking greenery. It is the land of vivid green peaks, blue rivers, and wild spaces. Not only that but ~80% of plant life and 70% of animal life there is entirely unique to New Zealand, so you will not be able to see those creatures anywhere else.
The country offers 17 natural wonders from national parks, glacier trekking, wild safaris, picturesque lakes, huge forests, and many other attractions, along with extreme sports if you are looking for a little adventure.
Let’s make 2023 the year we visit New Zealand, my eyes need a huge dose of green!
FOR REMOTE WORK – COLOMBIA
Okay, I went to Colombia once, and I keep on telling myself that I need to go back and work from there for a YEAR (ugh, I wish). The country has recently seen a rapid growth in the remote work community with an increase in expats and development of many state-of-the art co-working spaces all over the country (but mostly in Medellìn). Some of these spaces also offer co-living options, making people want to stay there for months and months.
There is also so much happening around the country to help promote connection and collaboration among remote workers, such as language classes and massive networking events.
Meeting so many creatives who have become networking experts, you will definitely feel a vibe of transformation and a strong entrepreneurial drive. In fact, most Colombians aspire to become entrepreneurs because their government has even encouraged it, with policies stressing to support small to medium-sized businesses.
I don’t even know why I am writing this blog from anywhere else but Colombia… I need to be there now.
FOR AMAZING ROAD TRIP – CALIFORNIA
I am not a big road trip girl, and I haven’t done many, but I definitely checked California’s Pacific Coast Highway road trip off my bucket list.
This road trip is a classic and everyone should do it. Depending on your preference you can drive from San Fran all the way to San Diego, but I decided to just drive to Los Angeles. The trip is meant to be traversed slowly, so it took my best friend and I around 10 hours, all while passing by iconic places such as Monterey, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, and Santa Barbara, to name just a few.
You can decide to spend a few days on the road and sleep along the way in the cute towns or wine regions. I would highly recommend renting a convertible car to feel the air blowing in your hair and the Californian sun shimmering on your cheeks, all while contemplating the mountains, towering trees, expansive beaches and endless sky. I will never forget this drive.
FOR INSANE NIGHTLIFE – LEBANON
I am definitely biased here, but you will also hear it from other people, Lebanon has AMAZING nightlife. And if that’s what you’re looking for, Beirut is definitely the place to go for a few days.
Lebanon is known to be the Middle East’s original party city, a reputation it has had for decades now. Whether you are looking for fancy dinners and bars, gorgeous rooftops, great house music, or even sticky-floored dive bars, you will find what you’re looking for in Lebanon.
People in Lebanon also love to have fun and they are fine staying out late even on weeknights. So you will always find places jam packed until very late hours. And since the city is small, with venues close to each other, it is easy to move from a club to another or bar hop on a random night.
Clubbing in Lebanon is really a year-round activity, but things get really pumping over the summer where you will be lost among the tremendous party options like Love night, Thursday hip-hop, R&B nights, techno Saturdays and MANY more, all in breathtaking venues, with astonishing lighting and sound system.
The food scene is also delicious, and Lebanese people are very friendly and hospitable, so you will definitely gain a few kilos and a lot of new friends during your party trip to Lebanon. Not to mention the breathtaking nature and the fascinating culture it offers.
Come visit my country! I promise, you will love it. (Also, Make sure you reserve things early, everything gets fully booked specially around summer time or the holidays!)
