Lonely Planet's best travel destinations for 2023

By Evlin DuBose · · 2 min read
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The new year approaches fast, and with it comes annual leave, holidays, and wanderlust. So if you’re looking for inspiration for destinations to visit in 2023, here are some hot recommendations from Lonely Planet’s best-in-travel list . 

Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!

Where to?

What is Lonely Planet’s best in travel list?

Image courtesy of Lonely Planet "Best in Travel".

Every year, travel website Lonely Planet unveils its top thirty picks for unique destinations to check out over the year. These holiday hotspots are grouped by what you want to do, whether it’s eating, journeying, unwinding, connecting, or learning. 

Here are the winners for 2023.

Best and safest travel destinations (according to Smartraveller)

If you want to eat fascinating world cuisines

A bowl of eggy noodles in Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Image courtesy of Getty.

According to Lonely Planet, travelling foodies will do well to check out:

  • Lima, Peru
  • Umbria, Italy
  • Fukuoka, Japan
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Montevideo, Uruguay
  • South Africa

If you want to go on a journey

Tents by a sunset sea in Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Image courtesy of Getty.

Lonely Planet reckons travellers with road trips and adventures in mind will be fascinated by:

  • Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Bhutan
  • Parques Nacionales Naturales, Colombia
  • The Istanbul to Sofia train in Turkiye
  • Western Australia
  • Zambia

If you just want to unwind

Sapphire coast in Greece.
Halkidiki, Greece. Image courtesy of Getty.

Relaxation is a fantastic way to make the most of your holiday. Lonely Planet recommends these destinations for chill travellers:

  • Dominica
  • Halkidiki, Greece
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Malta
  • Raja Ampat, Indonesia

If you want to connect with communities

Mountain goats in Denali National Park, Alaska.
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. Image courtesy of Getty.

Meeting fascinating new people can be a great perk of travelling. If you want to connect and immerse yourself, Lonely Planet suggests checking out:

  • Accra, Ghana
  • Albania
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Guyana
  • Boise, USA
  • Alaska, USA

And yep, domestic travel insurance for Australia is a thing!

If you want to learn new things

Cerro Verde, Santa Ana, El Salvador. Image courtesy of Getty.

Travelling the world can introduce you to new cultures, knowledge, and experiences you simply can’t get at home. So if you’re keen to expand your horizons, Lonely Planet recommends learning from the locals in:

  • New Mexico, USA
  • El Salvador
  • Dresden, Germany
  • Marseille, France
  • Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Southern Scotland

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