Turning a fresh page on the calendar as we enter 2023, it’s time to look ahead at adventures for the year to come.
From short, flight-free breaks to longer haul endeavours, there are plenty of destinations deserving our attention over the next 12 months.
And whatever your budget, there are options – so get some dates in the diary to put a positive spin on 2023.
Los Angeles, USA
Most of us will never see our handprints cemented into the paving stones of the Walk Of Fame. But we all have a chance to pose for a selfie with the iconic Hollywood sign in the background.
The 100-metre-long set of capital letters was created in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a real estate development, but a century later its still standing (although it was replaced in 1978 with a sturdier steel structure).
An additional reason to visit the sunshine state is the opening of the new Super Nintendo World on February 17, at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Rides will include Mario Kart™ and Bowser’s Challenge, along with a Mushroom Kingdom and Toadstool café.
Normandy, France
Set on a picturesque tidal island in Normandy, Unesco-protected Mont Saint Michel Abbey has been photographed millions of times – yet nothing beats seeing it for real.
Construction of the Benedictine abbey, which is dedicated to the archangel St Michael, started in 1023 and took almost 500 years to complete.
Access the island either by foot or shuttle bus from the nearby car park, but purchase tickets for the abbey in advance (tiqets.com). But some of the best views are from hiking around the mudflats with a guide or from a distance when the tide comes in.
Malopolska region, Poland
Even if you’re not a fan of athletics, televised sporting events are a good source of travel inspiration, with the backdrops often as inspiring as the sporting performances.
Next June, the European Games will take place in Poland’s Malopolska region and capital city Krakow, with athletes competing in 24 disciplines.
From the snowy peaks of the Tatra Mountains to the limestone cliffs of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, the scenery of this area is superb.
Unesco World Heritage sites include the underworld of the salt mine in Wieliczka and the Bernardine Monastery in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with its churches and chapels found scattered throughout the nearby hills.
Utah, USA
Perhaps even more dramatic than a total eclipse, an annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, creating a ring of fire effect.
Next year, the phenomenon will be visible in North America, and Utah – which has the most International Dark Sky Parks in the world – is the number one choice for viewings.
The narrow path of the annular eclipse passes through Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon and the world’s first-ever Dark Sky Park, Natural Bridges national monument, on October 14th.
Bryce Canyon, famous for its red rock hoodoos, spires and sandstone fins, will also be celebrating it centenary.
Shimokitazawa district, Japan
Demand for holidays to Japan has soared since the destination re-opened after the pandemic. Although it’s always been a pricey place to visit, the Yen has dropped by 25%, making now one of the most affordable times to book a trip.
Specialists InsideJapan are excited about Tokyo’s emerging Shimokitazawa district, packed with independent shops and cafés. A new Shinkansen service to the bay side city of Nagasaki, launched in September 2022, will also see the southern island of Kyushu grow in popularity in months to come. Visit active volcanoes, fertile hot springs and emerald gorges.
Coast To Coast England
It’s too easy to forget Britain has some outstanding stretches of coastline, providing the perfect bookends to a cross-country hike.
It’s 50 years since Alfred Wainwright devised his classic ‘A Coast To Coast Walk’, which passes through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks, starting at St Bees in Cumbria on the Irish Sea and finishing at Robin Hood’s Bay and the North Sea. If you fancy a challenge, it takes around 14 days to do the full 190-mile route.
