7 Best Holiday Destinations in 2023

As international travel continues its post-pandemic recovery, we would like to take this opportunity to make a few suggestions about the top holiday destinations this year. Decide on a budget, list out the essentials, apply for leave and get set to make the most of 2023. Here’s a list of places we think you should consider traveling to and if you’re able to make the time and save up, book yourself an around the world plane ticket and visit them all.

Tbilisi which is the capital city of Georgia has gained a lot of popularity as a tourist destination. However, despite attracting many tourists over the years, Tbilisi still retains its charm. If you wish to travel to this city, we recommend you add it as a destination on your round the world trip or you can even travel here and spend the entire duration of your vacation exploring other cities and attractions in Georgia.

Tbilisi is known for its ancient ruins, museums and sulphur baths. As a result, you’ll need a few days here so you can get a good idea of the history and the culture. Some of the sites we recommend you visit include Narikala Fortress, Old Tbilisi and the Georgian National Museum. Another highlight is the local cuisine which comprises of some sumptuous dishes like Khachapuri, Khinkali and Mtsvadi.

Yerevan is believed to be older than Rome and as a result of its deep-rooted history, it has a very rich cultural heritage. As a capital of the country, Yerevan offers many opportunities to explore the history and culture or Armenia. We recommend you pay a visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum, the Erebuni Fortress, the Matenadaran and the Cascade Complex. Alongside its ancient charm, Yerevan also has to offer a vibrant nightlife and an abundance of restaurants.

Yerevan is also known as the ‘pink city’ owing to the colour of the stones used in the architecture while the city was developing under the Soviet regime.  The cuisine fuses Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavours and offers you a delectable range of dishes. And, the Vernissage Flea Market is the perfect place to shop for art and souvenirs.

As Armenia is bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan, we recommend you consider a round the world itinerary that takes you to at least one of the neighboring countries if not all of them. Such a trip will surely make for an insightful experience.

Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco and is known for its palaces, gardens, and mosques. The Majorelle Gardens, Menara Gardens and the Agdal Garden are certainly worth a visit and if you happen to be in the mood for more outdoor activities, we also recommend you visit the Atlas Mountains, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, and the desert town of Ait Benhaddou.

The Medina in Marrakesh is one of the oldest and largest medinas in the world and has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. We also recommend a visit to Koutobia mosque and if time permits, take some time off and get pampered at a hammam. The Moroccan cuisine is known for its rich flavours and some of the dishes we suggest you try are tagine (a slow-cooked stew), couscous, and pastilla

Doha is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and is home to a significant majority of the country’s population. This modern, thriving city is known for its incredible infrastructure, high standard of living and wide range of facilities. Being a popular layover destination for many international flights, Doha makes for a great place to include as a stopover on your round the world trip.

When traveling to Doha, we recommend you pay a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, the Katara Cultural Village and Aspire Park. Corniche is a popular promenade where you can take a leisurely walk or even cycle or jog.  It is known for stunning views of the Doha skyline. For an insight into the history of Qatar, you should visit the Al Zubarah fort, which is now declared a UNESCO  World Heritage Site. Like Dubai, Doha too offers adventurous desert safari experiences which include dune bashing, camel rides and traditional meals.   

Besides its gorgeous beaches, Bali is also known for the beauty of its lush forests, terraced rice fields and looming volcanoes. If you’re in the mood for a vacation that fuses the best of nature and culture, Bali is where you should be headed.

Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua are great hangout spots for those who enjoy beach days. For a sense of the culture, we recommend paying a visit to the Tanah Lot Temple, Tegalallang Rice Terraces, the Goa Gajah Temple. And, for a more adventurous outing, you can take a hike on the Mount Batur trail or go snorkelling to the USS Liberty Shipwreck in Tulamben.

The distinctive cuisine is yet another highlight and there are many opportunities to enrol for cooking classes where you can recreate some of your favourite dishes. For a getaway from a hectic routine, you also have the option to relax and pamper yourself at one of Bali’s fabulous luxury spa’s

Machu Picchu is a famous Incan archaeological site located in Peru and the picturesque Inca trail that leads up to it brings you through the scenic Andes mountains that are known to be the longest mountain range in the world. There are multiple sites to see surrounding Machu Picchu like the Sun Gate, Huayna Picchu, the Temple pf the Sun, the Inca Bridge and other Inca ruins.

When traveling to Machu Picchu, we also recommend a train ride from Cusco as the route it takes is incredibly scenic; apparently, it is the most beautiful train journey in the world. The town of Aguas Calientes, which acts as a gateway to Machu Picchu is also a sight to see. It has a museum that exhibits the history and culture of Machu Picchu and lovely local markets where you can have a look at traditional Peruvian handicrafts and textiles, and buy souvenirs.

For those looking to experience a combination of stunning landscapes, divine wine and sumptuous food, Cape Town is where you should be headed. There is a long list of recommendations for anyone traveling to the city and here are a few that your trip should definitely include. For those who like the outdoors, we suggest you take a hike up to Table Mountain and explore the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which has a choice of many delightful walking trails. It is the perfect place to see a distinctive variety of flora and additionally, many concerts and outdoor events are hosted here.

If you’re keen on a day trip around the cape, then we recommend the peninsular tour where you can visit the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Cape Town is also well known for its vineyards and as a result the wine connoisseurs have ample opportunities to taste a variety of wines.  For a sense of the history of South Africa, we suggest you take a trip to Robben Island and pay a visit to some of the museums in the city. Other attractions include the Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium and Boulders beach.

Our list comprises just a few of our top recommendations and we urge you to start planning your round the world trip, because we’ve got more suggestions in the pipeline.