Our 23 best places to travel in 2023

We are all hoping for a year of optimism and outdoor adventure, peaceful escapes and, crucially, peace in Ukraine. We may not all be in a fireworks mood this year, but many are putting their best foot forward for a positive start to 2023. That may mean planning a healthy escape and having something adventurous to look forward to, which is why we have put together our 23 best places to travel to in ‘23. In reverse order, just to get those fingers scrolling and minds wandering.

The 23 best places to travel in 2023

23. Switzerland

Many people are choosing to travel by train within Europe now, and Switzerland is like the supermodel of train travel. It has striking scenery on just about all of its rail networks, trains are punctual and timetabling is smart. Check out the Via Alpina and Bernese Oberland walking holiday, starting in Meiringen, which is just an hour from Lucerne by train. Or the Tour de Mont Blanc, which takes you through Switzerland, and starts and ends at Chamonix, a popular Alpine train station. Or you can start and finish the St James Way by train. Another glorious option is to go hiking alongside the world famous Rhaetian Rail route, hopping on and off the train whenever you please.

22. Greece

Will 2023 be the year when Britain returns the Parthenon Marbles to Greece after years of controversy? With the British Museum recently stating that it is actively seeking a “new Parthenon partnership with Greece”, watch this space as the jury is still out. The jury is unanimous, however, when it comes to our partnerships with Greece, which continue to grow from strength to strength, thankfully. From walking holidays in Crete or the Cyclades, the Peloponnese or the Pindos, Greece will never lose its marvels.

21. Japan

It took a while for Japan to open again after lockdown, compared with other countries, but the country’s gracious gates, and iconic walking trails, are now open. The cities will be busy, with pent up demand for travel after such a long time. However, the ancient Nakasendo or Kumano Kodo walking trails have been welcoming trekkers for centuries, and nothing will hold them back now. So make 2023 the year to do something ‘just for me’ and treat yourself to the traditions and trails of this magnificent country.

best places to travel — Kumano Kodo – is open to go, go!

20. Poland

We have been a big fan of walking and cycling tours in Poland, but in 2023 we encourage our customers to visit it for one very important reason. Poland has responded to the Ukrainian refugee crisis like no other country, taking in millions of people since the start of Russia’s war on the country in February 2022. So, let’s thank Poland for proving they have very deep pockets, and being such generous hosts, by choosing to travel there this year. Get in early on our winter trekking trip in the Tatras or the eastern Carpathians or bliss out in the Bieszczady Mountains in the summer months.

19. Nepal

It’s a big year at Everest Base Camp in Nepal in 2023, as it’s the 70th anniversary of first confirmed ascent of Everest, by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, who reached the summit on 29 May 1953. Funnily enough, news of the successful summit reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, on 2 June 2023. Although we don’t have treks to Everest, we have holidays in several other areas of Nepal.

18. Bosnia-Herzegovina

You don’t have to be a mountaineer to feel the magic of the mountains in Bosnia-Herzegovina, however, where nearly half of the country is elevated. Its highest peak is called Maglić mountain, a word which, at first glance to English speakers, conjures a world of magic. What’s also magical is that it is still very much off the beaten track, and on our Bosnia-Herzegovina tours, which take you to the likes of Sutjeska National Park, Bjelašnica Mountain and the Via Dinarica, you’ll discover some of Europe’s quietest hiking and cycling spots.

17. England

Losing out on a major sporting crowning glory in 2022, England will be covered in crowns in 2023, the year of the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort. You don’t need pomp and circumstance to celebrate the country’s fine natural heritage, however, boasting crown jewels of emerald hills in the Cotswolds, sapphire waters along the South West Coast Path, or ruby rich uplands of the three national parks along the Coast to Coast Path.

16. Austria

In 2023, Vienna celebrates the 150th anniversary of the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair, and all of its museums are taking on a Vienna 2023 theme to mark this cultural event, kicking off in May. Austria is such a small country that you can waltz into Vienna from just about any of our walking or cycling holidays but, for an easy way to combine culture with nature, take time in the capital followed by a walking holiday in the Vienna Alps, or on our Danube Cycle Path holidays.

15. Lithuania

We are going to need a bigger cake if we are to celebrate Vilnius’ 700th birthday in 2023 on our Lithuania tours. With the ancient Old Town at its core, enveloped rather than enshrined by its growing modern metropolis, and the river Neris running through it, this is a delightful Baltic town to explore. You will get a great perspective from the tower of St John’s Church. Seek out boutiques and cafes in the Užupis district, fill your backpack at Tymo Turgus food market on Thursdays, and be a Vilnius vulture for culture at the Nacionalinė Dailės Galerija (NDG) or the Vilnius City Opera. Watch this 700Vilnius space for more birthday bashes.

14. Germany

Germany is carrying over its carbon-friendly train prices into 2023, after a very successful summer 2022 experiment of offering €9 tickets to go to just about anywhere in the country. In summer 2023, they will be launching the digital Deutschlandticket, at €49 (now €63) for travel on all services, except on the speedy intercity ones. In addition, young people up to the age of 14 travel free with the national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, when travelling with adults. So get training, hiking and cycling in Germany, for the ultimate 2023 wanderlust.

13. Bhutan

We may have been seeing signs of Frosty the Snowman in our parts of the world recently but meet the biggest snowman that we know. It’s a Bhutanese beauty, the Snowman Trek across the Himalayas for a whole month. This gives you time to enjoy the Himalayan highs over a long period of time, and to immerse yourself so deeply in the mountain magnificence of it all that you will feel like you are, literally, walking in the air. Or you can always just opt for a few snowballs on our other less challenging Bhutan tours.

12. Scotland

Scotland has inspired many artists over the years, and 2023 sees the culmination of a major project to launch the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art, known as the Scottish National Gallery Project, in Edinburgh, set for opening summer 2023. You could combine one of Scotland tours with a visit to the capital, or just go and enjoy the country’s natural sculptures and colours at any time, such as along the Great Glen Way, the West Highland Way or on our Skye’s Coast to Coast walking holiday.

11. France

Burgundy is Pantone’s colour of 2023, describing it as a ‘shade rooted in nature…pulsating….joyous and optimistic’. Actually they call it magenta, but it’s burgundy to most of us out there, and the description certainly fits not only our cycling holiday in Burgundy, but our walking holidays in France too, which cover so many other colours in the Pantone palette. Splash out on the lavender of the Luberon, absorb some azure of the Cote d’Azur, or be inspired by Cezanne’s palette on a walking tour that follows his footsteps in Les Calanques and Aix-en-Provence.

10. Ireland

With Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin being tipped for an Oscar in 2023, it certainly wins our award for most beautiful locations, set on a fictional island in the west of Ireland. Experience similar landscapes of dry stone walls, Atlantic cliffs and rust coloured blanket bogs, with traditional pubs tucked into tiny villages along many of our Ireland tours, particularly while walking the Beara Way, cycling in West Cork or walking the Sheep’s Head Way. You will find that the people are a bit more cheerful though and, if you have seen the film – yes, there is plenty of fine knitwear to buy along the way.

9. Italy

What’s not to love about the Cinque Terre region of Italy? Hearts will be fluttering even more than usual in 2023 when the Path of Love section, or Via dell’Amore, just a couple kilometres long, is set to reopen, following the landslide in 2012, reuniting the coastal villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. This is Italy, however, so don’t hold your breath as things can go slowly. In the meantime, your breath will always be taken away in the rest of the Cinque Terre, whenever you go.

8. Morocco

The first recorded ascent of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, was a hundred years ago, on 12 June 1923, by the Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau. However, you don’t need a title to top Toubkal (4,167m), these days. You just need an excellent local guide, at least two days to ascend and descend, a willingness to clamber or don crampons, and a taste for strong mint tea. Toubkal is a strenuous hike but it’s a stupendous one.

7. Turkey

We can never have enough Turkey at The Natural Adventure. If you are seeking a new challenge in 2023, how about going on a Turkish delight of a trek to the summit of its highest mountain, Mount Ararat (5,137m), overlooking not only Turkey but also Armenia and Iran? It’s said to have been where Noah’s Ark settled after the storm. It’s a pretty heavenly spot too, as you will see on our guided small group tour. In order to acclimatise to its icy elevation, there’s a starter menu hike up Mt Artos (3,537m), with views over Lake Van, the country’s largest body of water stretching for 119km at its widest point. This is Turkey with all the trimmings.

6. Kosovo

This year, Kosovo is marking 15 years since it declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. So we think it’s a great time to raise a toast to ongoing peace. It’s a country where you’ll meet the warmest people walking in the likes of Bjeshkët e Nemuna (Accursed Mountains) National Park, or enjoying cafe life in medieval, and now very multicultural cities like Prizren. It also has abundant sunshine and consequently, cups overflowing with wine. You can even explore the Rahovec Valley wine region on this Kosovo hiking holiday. Gëzuar (cheers) Kosovo!

5. Spain

It was 50 years ago, 8 April 1973, that Pablo Picasso died, and Spain is honouring his life in many ways during the year. There are exhibitions in Barcelona, A Coruña and Malaga, and you can combine these with natural adventures in the landscapes that inspired him. Whether you choose to hike in Catalonia, cycle in Andalucía or explore the Galician coast by cycling the Lighthouse Way from Malpica to Finisterre, you will have a chance to absorb the artistic landscapes of Picasso’s life.

4. Slovenia

Don’t just take our word for it, the world renowned National Geographic magazine also chose Slovenia as an exceptional place to visit in 2023, in the Nature category. In fact, Slovenia has been winning awards and, most importantly, recognition by travellers, for its commitment to sustainability for years now. From the heights of the Julian Alps down to the 250km of cycling paths in its capital, Slovenia is not just sustainable, it’s also stunning. We are confident that, on our walking and cycling holidays in Slovenia, you will want to give the country your own personal green badge of approval.

The Julian Alps – Slovenia is not just sustainable, it’s also stunning.

3. Portugal

Portugal is proving to be one of Europe’s top spots for digital nomads, and it’s hardly surprising given its combination of natural beauty and unique urban heritage. Our self-guided walking and cycling holidays in Portugal give you a perfect taster for nomadic life, walking from one beautiful fishing village to the next on the Rota Vicentina trails, for example, or seeking some solace or spirituality on the Portuguese Way, part of the Camino de Santiago network. Maybe this is the year you can combine walking with working, or cycling with studying. Everything is possible in Portugal.

2. Albania

On 1 January 2023, Albania and its two Balkan neighbours, North Macedonia and Serbia, are stopping their mutual border controls, as part of a move towards all three countries collaborating peacefully and proactively, but also as an important step towards joining the EU, which should be imminent. We have always seen Albania as a leading case study in regeneration through tourism, and this move will support that. With elevated expanses like the Accursed Mountains, a blessing rather than a curse for those on Albania hiking tours, fifteen national parks, and UNESCO wonders such as the town of Berat or Butrint National Park, Albania is emerging modestly yet magnificently.

1. Bulgaria

Full disclosure, we are a bit biased when it comes to Bulgaria as several of our team members hail from there. Bulgaria would be our Mastermind specialist subject, or our best Ted Talk. We won’t hide our light under Bulgarian bushels either, as we’re proud of the tours we have crafted there, and believe us, they are endlessly exquisite. Hiking in Bulgaria is many things. It is cheap and very cheerful, quiet and quaint. And, most importantly for secret trail seekers, it is gloriously mountainous but never ever monotonous.

Seven Rila lakes in Bulgaria – we can give you more than seven reasons to visit our number one country for 2023.

We hope that our 23 for 2023 have given you food for thought, and don’t hesitate to contact us for more inspiration or information. In the meantime, wishing you a happy new year from everyone at The Natural Adventure. And, most of all, a peaceful one.