Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Online guide.
It’s the start of a new year which means it’s time to think about going away on more holidays. Choosing a destination should not be a problem as Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel has been revealed for 2023.
Since travel has rebounded, people are craving more meaningful experiences and are more intentional with how they select the place they want to visit. So, with that trend in mind, the list has been reimagined, with top destinations sorted not by country, region or city, but by the best type of trip to be had in a place.
Hence, it’s split into five categories: eat, journey, connect, learn and unwind.
Resurgent Sydney and adventurous Western Australia are both included in the 2023 hotlist.
Consisting of a range of interesting destinations, this robust roster of 30 must-visit locations is brought to life through itineraries, features, videos and more.
Included in the coveted journey list are Western Australia’s wide-open spaces, city adventures, amazing reefs and beaches. As well, it’s the gorges, lakes and monoliths that provide the wondrous backdrop to a plethora of road trips, including a seven-day foodie adventure from Perth to the Margaret River Region, Pemberton, Manjimup and Bunbury in the state’s south west. Explore Rottnest Island.
Travelers looking to connect with distinctive local scenes are directed to Sydney, back on the map and highlighted with Sydney WorldPride that will bring the city even more alive from 17 February-5 March 2023.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 delivers new takes on popular destinations such as Manchester, home to one of the UK’s most dynamic art scenes and the laid-back surf culture of El Salvador. It also unearths some lesser-known gems like the food scene in Montevideo, Uruguay, indigenous community-operated attractions in Alaska and South America’s eco-tourism rising star Guyana
According to Chris Zeiher, the release of Lonely Planet’s annual “hot list” of destinations and travel experiences comes at an exciting time to be planning travel. “2023 is shaping up to be the year to get out and explore. With much of the world firmly on the road to recovery, travelers are looking for different locations and experiences.”
