The 25 travel destinations for 2023 according to National Geographic

We are still a couple of months away from the end of 2022, but many have already started dreaming about which trips to take in the new year, drawing up virtual lists of places to discover, exhibitions and monuments to visit, foods to taste and outfits to pack. The possibilities are endless and for those who don't know how to juggle the many cities and countries, there is a list of destinations compiled by National Geographic, divided into the categories of culture, nature, adventure, community and family, which suggests the most interesting solutions for every travel style, with a focus on ecotourism, sustainability and inclusive travel. There is Switzerland, a land famous for chocolate, ski slopes and hiking; Ghana with its fascinating history still unknown to many; New Zealand offering multiple dream spots for outdoor adventure sports; but also Busan, Korea's second largest city. Those tired of the usual destinations can explore the Dodecanese islands; the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands; Milwaukee in Wisconsin; the Via Appia Antica or the biodiversity of Botswana. 

Here are the 25 travel destinations for 2023 according to National Geographic:

Culture

If, like a new Indiana Jones, for you holidays are synonymous with a plunge into culture, among archaeological finds, monuments, history and various relics there is one place you will surely have dreamt of seeing in your lifetime: Egypt. From Abydos, the royal burial place for the first pharaohs to the recently restored Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor, there are many sites to admire, but since November a new place to see has been added. It is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a 500,000 square meter site on the edge of the Pyramids of Giza that will contain 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space, including all of Tutankhamun's golden treasures. Staying in the East, why not stop at the Longmen Grottoes in China's Henan province, a UNESCO World Heritage Site? More than 100,000 figures devoted to Buddhism, carved mainly between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, are hidden inside countless caves in limestone cliffs high above the Yi River. From China to Korea, the step is short. The destination? Busan, Korea's second-largest city, is famous for both its mountains and beaches, or for the prestigious Busan International Film Festival and the craft beer made from beans and hops. In the West, on the other hand, there are two cultural trips to be made: Charleston in the States and the Via Appia Antica in Italy. South Carolina's largest city has the advantage of being easily accessible on foot and offering typical country cuisine, but from 21 January those who choose it will also be able to visit the International African American Museum and discover the harrowing stories of Africans enslaved to work on plantations as well as that of the Gullah Geechee people who still live along the Atlantic coast, from the Carolinas to Florida, and continue some of the African traditions of their ancestors. A full immersion in Italy's historical, archaeological and architectural heritage is provided by the Via Appia Antica with its 2300 years of history. Designed in 312 B.C. with the aim of quickly linking Rome to Capua for the movement of troops southwards during the Second Samnite War, it was later extended to the port of Brindisi, ensuring a direct connection to Greece, the East and Egypt.

Nature

National Geographic invites those eager to escape the city and immerse themselves in nature, surrounded only by flora, fauna and clean air to add Big Bend National Park, a remote and arid part of West Texas that is home to more cactus species than any other national park, as well as mammals and birds such as roadrunners, to their travel booklet; the Scottish Highlands, famous for their austerity, it is easy to come across flocks of sheep and Instagram-friendly sights; and Botswana, a southern African country full of vast national parks and game reserves that offer special experiences such as week-long classes on tracking animal tracks and bush survival skills. Those who want to stay in the Old Continent can, instead, opt for the Azores. Also known as the Hawaii of Europe, the volcanic archipelago lies in the middle of the Atlantic about a thousand miles off the coast of Portugal and consists of nine very different islands, but all famous for their whale watching, hot springs and award-winning sustainability programs. Among the long-standing leaders in sustainable tourism, one cannot fail to mention Slovenia, which has always offered tourists a wide range of ecological tours and combines sports such as cycling with gastronomic stops during which they can sample typical dishes. 

Adventure

If your idea of a holiday is sleeping all the time, indulging in good food or a dip in the sea at most, then these five destinations are not for you. Choquequirao, for example, requires good lungs and trained legs. This Inca site is one of the most remote in the Peruvian Andes and is suitable for trekking enthusiasts who can zigzag up and down the 18 miles of vertiginous paths required to access the vast complex of temples, terraces and plazas. With five national parks and eight national monuments, outdoor enthusiasts opting for Utah will also be spoilt for choice on the perfect spot where they can enjoy sports and new adventures. The most popular? Zion National Park, known for its spectacular canyons, 30 miles of new mountain bike trails and 40 miles of hiking trails. Also worth adding to the trips to take for the adventurous and sporty are the Austrian Alps, a favorite mecca for skiers, hikers, climbers and day trippers. If distances do not frighten you, the advice is to buy a ticket to New Zealand. Better still for Queenstown, a lakeside town of about 15,000 inhabitants that comes alive with tourists flocking to ski, hike or cycle the Queenstown Trails Trust. Those who love the ocean, diving and marine life should, on the other hand, head for Mexico's Revillagigedo National Park, home to the continent's largest concentration of tropical marine megafauna, from hammerhead sharks to humpback whales, earning it the nickname "the Galápagos of Mexico".

Community

Planning a trip with friends? Pack your suitcase for Ghana, where "there is always something bright, noisy or colorful" and you can go shopping in Accra, the fashion centre of West Africa. Looking for something less chaotic? Try the Dodecanese islands, such as Leros, Patmos and Kos, with their beautiful sea views and mix of Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Italian influences that have left their mark on everything from architecture to food. Mountain lovers can opt for Alberta. This region of Canada is celebrated for natural wonders such as the Athabasca Glacier and Banff National Park, its vast prairie views alternating with the modernity of cities dominated by glass and steel such as Calgary and Edmonton. Staying in North America, the city to explore is Milwaukee, where the iconic TV series Happy Days was set. Things to see include the Harley-Davidson Museum, the bustling Deer District, exploring the historic Third Ward, a former industrial district full of bike lanes and the Milwaukee Public Market for craft beer. Hiking or a kayak ride along the river is a must. A final suggestion for an interesting holiday is fascinating Laos, with its Buddhist monasteries and picturesque views of the Mekong River.

Family

Traveling with the family is easier if you have on-time trains, spectacular mountains, delicious biscuits and even a Wonka-style chocolate tour like in Switzerland. The plus? Cheap benefits such as the Swiss Family Card, a rail pass that allows everyone under 16 to travel for free or with a 50% discount. Another interesting route to take for both parents and children is the San Francisco Crosstown Trail, which winds for almost 17 miles through the city diagonally, from its south-eastern corner to its north-western tip. In between are gardens, hills, urban streets and a picturesque view of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. If your kids are fans of the Disney film Encanto, then pack your suitcase for Colombia, to discover a South American country rich in biodiversity, where you can admire the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta , the highest coastal mountain range on the planet; the lesser-explored Perijá Mountains; the Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean coast. The activity to do as a family? Birdwatching. Don't like birds, but find sea turtles irresistible? You can encounter hundreds of them in Trinidad and Tobago, especially during the nesting season from March to August, when an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 turtles can be found on the country's shores. If you don't feel like making such a long trip, then fly to Manchester, England, home of the famous Manchester United Football Club, which in summer 2023 will see the opening of the Factory International, a new cultural space designed by Rem Koolhaas' architecture studio.