Ready to hit the road or take to the skies to explore the best places to visit around the globe? Come with us on a ’round the world journey to discover vibrant cities, natural wonders, pristine beaches, historic buildings, and more. ViaTravelers staff writers and editors have come up with our top picks for 2023 travel destinations, and we’re excited for our readers to get out and see new places this year.
This curated list is a blend of our all-time favorite destinations and spots that top our bucket lists. Have you seen the northern lights in Helsinki, or puffins in Iceland? Would you stand nearby and watch brown bears go fishing just a few yards away? Are you the type to get lost in a new city for days and come out with memories and stories you can’t stop telling? If so, you’ll want to add these spots to your bucket list.
Top 10 Places to Visit in 2023
1. Katmai National Park, Alaska
Kim Magaraci, Managing Editor (@kmagaraci)
Lots of travelers want to spend their vacations lounging on soft sand or exploring every nook and cranny of a lively city. Not me – please, send me to the mountains! I also love National Parks, so my choice is kind of an obvious one.
Katmai National Park is high on my list thanks to the abundance of brown bears during peak salmon season. July and September are the best times to visit, with July being a bit more stable weather-wise and showcasing summertime natural beauty, and September offering the return of the salmon and the gorgeous backdrop of Alaskan autumn. One of the hidden gems of the National Park Service, Katmai is located in a remote Alaskan preserve, and you’ll have to fly in or boat in for access.
Over 2,000 brown bears live within Katmai, and you’re sure to encounter plenty of them on your trip through the National Park. These bears are a bit more mild-mannered than the grizzlies that live inland and tend to react less to humans. Still, you’ll want to travel in groups of 3 or more, make noise while you hike to avoid startling a bear, and carry bear spray in the event that you are charged.
The best way to experience Katmai National Park is to book a guided tour for wildlife spotting or photography. There are plenty of permitted outfitters in the park that can take you on a tour – just remember, you’re either going to have to hop on a tiny plane or take a boat. On your tour, the guides will tell you all about the bears, how they…
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