Where to go in 2023: 11 destinations to rediscover travel

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Kirsten Henton

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For many people, 2022 was about getting back to their normal travel habits, from summer holidays to city breaks. However, while restrictions have eased in most destinations not everyone has been booking their ticket to the sun.

Worries ranging from the hassle of any lingering requirements to avoiding the travel chaos that we saw in the summer and having an increased sense of responsibility about how we travel mean some people still feel tentative about going too far and wide.

Here we take a look at some of the destinations which can be reached without flying (think train or ferry) and where restrictions are no longer a barrier to help you plan your adventures in 2023 and beyond.

• Spain
• France
• Italy
• UK
• Canada
• Iceland
• Norway
• Japan
• Denmark
• Puerto Rico
• Egypt

1. Spain

Did you know that Spain has the most Blue Flag-winning beaches of any country in the world? Close to 600, in fact. These award-winning shores of all shapes and sizes, be it on the mainland, in the Canaries or the Balearics, make up just part of the reason the country consistently pulls in more holidaymakers from the UK than anywhere else.

Add the history, culture and tasty tapas found in cities such as the capital Madrid, Bilbao (where it's more about the pintxo), Valencia (home of paella), Seville and everywhere in between, and it's easy to see why Spain's a hit with city breakers, too.

And for those who love the more rustic rural life, the mountains, lakes and forests of westerly Extremadura, vineyards of Rioja, walking trails of Menorca and the highest peak of Mount Teide in Tenerife demonstrate the diversity that can be found for every type of outdoor activity be it cycling, hiking, camping or just sitting back and wine tasting.

Spain really does have a little bit of everything for everyone and it can be reached by both train and ferry from the UK.

Weather in Menorca

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	14	14	15	17	21	25	28	28	26	22	18	15
Hours of sunshine (daily)	5	5	6	7	9	10	11	10	8	6	5	4
Days with some rainfall	15	13	14	12	9	5	3	6	8	12	13	16
Sea temperature °C	15	14	14	15	18	21	24	26	25	22	19	16

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2. France

France is a comfortingly familiar destination for a lot of UK holidaymakers. Much like Spain, it too has broad appeal from its sophisticated Mediterranean and wild Atlantic beaches to its refined cities and mega mountains.

Crucially, it's also easy to get to with the prospect of sailing across the Channel or whizzing through the tunnel more acceptable than flying.

France manages to pivot its offering, ensuring it's a truly year-round destination. Sunnier months are awash with those soaking up rays on its beaches from Normandy to Nice, while people tackle watersports, hiking, cycling and rafting down some of the country's magnificent gorges.

As the seasons change, you'll see vineyards heavy with grapes ripe for the harvest lining the countryside and city breaks come into their own with the likes of Paris oozing the sophistication we all know and love and Marseille tempting with some late sunshine. By the darker winter months, powder lovers descend on some of Europe's finest ski resorts.

Throw in delicious French cuisine, some of the world's best wines, museums, galleries and designer shops, and it's no great surprise that France draws such a diverse range of travellers from January to December.

Weather in Paris

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	7	11	14	18	21	24	23	20	16	10	7
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	6	7	7	8	7	6	4	3	2
Days with some rainfall	17	14	16	15	15	13	11	12	12	14	15	16

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3. Italy

History and nature collided to create the marvellous melting pot that is Italia. Brimming with ancient ruins, sites and mountains as well as cosmopolitan cities and some of the Mediterranean's most exquisite beaches, Italy remains one of the dreamiest holiday destinations for UK travellers.

There's accommodation for every budget - think extreme luxury, indy hotels, affordable B&Bs, glamping and campsites - as well as the very best traditional and modern take on unrivalled Italian cuisine. Think you know your pizzas? No trip to Italy is complete for any pizza aficionado without taste-testing or even taking a pro cookery class in the home of doughy goodness, Naples.

While opulent Milan, arty Florence, history-stuffed Rome and the waterways of Venice continue to enthral those after an urban escape, hire a car to cruise the scenic Neapolitan Riviera or wind your way around the villa-studded countryside of Tuscany. Further south, the beaches and bays of Sicily, Calabria and Puglia provide ample space for sunbathing, sailing and watersports.

There really is no reason not to go to Italy in 2023, another country that can be reached by train. Just remember that August is often the month that cities shut down as Italians escape the heat for the cooler climes inland or by the sea.

Weather in Rome

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	12	13	16	18	23	27	30	30	27	22	17	13
Hours of sunshine (daily)	4	5	5	7	9	10	11	10	8	6	4	4
Days with some rainfall	14	13	13	13	10	8	5	6	9	12	15	14

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4. UK

If there's a silver lining to The Bad Times of the past few years, it has to be the realisation by so many that you don't always need to look across the sea for a fun-filled holiday. This island may be small but it's hugely diverse and the past three years or so have exposed its delights to more of its inhabitants than ever before.

With lots of people keen to escape not just their homes but their cities, the countryside became a real focus and now the secret's out. We have some of the most beautiful, challenging and inviting landscapes from the rugged coast of Pembrokeshire to the rocky tops of the Peak District, fishing ports of North Yorkshire and isles of western Scotland.

A good way to start your UK adventure is to look to the national parks. There are 14 across England, Wales and Scotland so it's about finding the right one to hook your trip around.

For highland escapades, the Cairngorms is alive with wildlife while the sedate pace of the Yorkshire Dales is where to sample Wensleydale cheese and locally-brewed beer. Delve into Britain's Roman past in Northumberland and spot wild horses in the New Forest.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is easily accessed by ferry for its cultural capital Belfast, the geological phenomenon of the Giant's Causeway and distilleries for whiskey tasting, among other attractions.

Weather in the New Forest

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	7	7	10	13	16	19	21	21	19	15	11	8
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	6	7	7	7	6	5	4	3	2
Days with some rainfall	17	13	15	12	13	11	9	11	12	15	15	16

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5. Canada

There are plenty of reasons to visit Canada in 2023, not least because it's one giant playground for nature, wildlife and adventure seekers. That it also has some seriously trendy cities with hip beer and foodie scenes is merely an added bonus.

A popular way of dipping your toe into this sprawling North American nation is to hire your own set of wheels and set off on a road trip to see as much as possible. While Canada needs no introduction to winter sports enthusiasts, the weather during the dark winter months can be challenging and arguably best left to those who have an affinity with driving with snow tyres or are thinking of a ski break.

Alternatively, plan a holiday from spring to welcome Vancouver's cherry blossom season or call by the Ottawa tulip festival en route to the mountain passes and turquoise lakes Canada is famous for.

Make for the wilderness - adequately equipped with an expert guide - to sniff out grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains, take a cruise to see resident orcas and migratory passers-by in July and August, hop in a Canadian canoe for a paddle to remember and go glamping in the woods in rural Yukon.

Weather in Toronto

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	-2	-2	4	11	18	24	27	25	21	14	7	0
Hours of sunshine (daily)	3	4	5	6	7	9	9	8	6	5	3	2
Days with some rainfall	12	10	10	11	11	10	9	10	10	11	12	13
Sea temperature °C	3	2	2	3	7	13	19	21	19	14	9	5

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6. Iceland

Pack your hiking boots, thermals and waterproofs for an epic exploration of The Land of Fire and Ice in 2023. Iceland continues to mesmerise travellers and, with an increased appetite for rural adventures, it ticks so many boxes as a destination for the curious.

Its fierce, unforgiving landscape, forged over millennia, plays host to striking waterfalls, punchy geysers, glaciers, lava fields and thermal waters.

As a result, Iceland is a dream for hiking along craters and through lava tunnels, hillwalking up volcanoes like Snæfellsjökull, diving in Silfra between the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America and bathing in the warmer therapeutic thermal springs. Other guided activities include white water rafting, whale watching and taking an extreme 4X4 ride across the island's barren landscape.

Most people choose to stay for a period in Iceland's quirky capital, Reykjavik. It's become quite the hotspot for creative cuisine with a Michelin-starred restaurant and many cool indy outlets dishing up all sorts of inventive takes on traditional Icelandic fare.

Shops sell local crafts while local beer can be sampled straight from the tap at RVK Brewing Company. There's surely no better way to reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature than on an outdoorsy holiday to Iceland.

Weather in Reykjavik

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	1	2	2	5	9	11	13	12	9	6	2	1
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	3	4	6	5	6	5	4	2	1	0
Days with some rainfall	18	17	19	18	16	17	18	18	18	20	17	19
Sea temperature °C	3	3	3	4	6	9	11	11	10	8	6	3

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7. Norway

With its dramatic landscape and captivating history, Norway has boatloads to offer culture vultures and nature enthusiasts. Thanks to its mountains, fjords, valleys and Viking tales, Norway enchants all who visit, whether during the warmer, lighter summer months or the freezing bite of winter.

There are many ways to explore the delights of Norway. You might opt for a city break setting up camp in the capital Oslo. Visit the likes of The Viking Ship Museum, Munch Museum or the nearby Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.

You can also use Oslo or the likes of water-side Bergen, with its distinctive little red houses, as a base from which to delve into the surrounding countryside and take short day trips or ferry rides.

Alternatively, you might set sail for a few nights cruising the rocky fjords, calling at small towns dotted around the Lofoten Islands, as well as Ersfjordbotn and Tromso as you head further north in search of the elusive Aurora Borealis, best seen between the beginning of October and the end of March.

You could, of course, hire a car and hit the curves of the famed Atlantic Ocean Road, traverse Norway's excellent railway network or make for the ski resorts of the northerly Lyngen Alps to try your feet at cross-country skiing.

Weather in Oslo

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	-2	-1	4	8	15	20	21	20	14	9	3	-0
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	4	6	7	8	8	7	5	3	2	1
Days with some rainfall	17	14	14	13	14	15	16	16	16	17	17	16
Sea temperature °C	-2	-2	-2	3	9	14	17	18	14	11	9	-0

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8. Japan

The archipelago of Japan has regained its place in the spotlight after a tough few years. The buzz of cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, where your every shopping and ramen-need is easily met, contrasts starkly with the beaches of Okinawa and remote ski resorts of northern Hokkaido.

The freshest sushi and traditional multi-course banquets are readily available while sights such as Mount Fuji, the iconic cherry blossom (go in early spring), skyscrapers, temples and calming bamboo forests all await.

Invest in a Japan Rail Pass to set about your travels via the uber-efficient and highly comfortable Shinkansens that zoom up and down the country every day.

The climate, meanwhile, varies greatly throughout Japan, and while summers are typically warm-to-hot, winters can encompass thick snowstorms in the north at the same time as warm days in the far south.

Weather in Tokyo

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	10	10	13	19	23	25	29	31	27	21	17	12
Hours of sunshine (daily)	6	6	6	5	6	4	5	6	4	4	5	6
Days with some rainfall	9	11	16	16	16	20	19	16	19	16	12	9
Sea temperature °C	15	14	14	16	18	21	24	26	25	22	19	17

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9. Denmark

Super-cool Denmark is another country that beautifully combines cultural and natural attractions in one, and is especially good for arty folk. It's easy to get to from the UK, with the option to take the ferry, train or tunnel and make a road trip of it if you're avoiding flying.

Cosmopolitan Copenhagen has all the hipster bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, gardens, galleries and boutique shops you could wish for. Travel through the ages of sleek Danish interiors at the fabulous Design Museum Denmark or the informative National Museum of Denmark before indulging in a smørrebrød, a creatively constructed open sandwich, typical of Scandinavia, on the waterfront of the city's Nyhavn.

Away from the capital, other urban treats can be found in Aarhus, notably, the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum - don't miss the rainbow walkway - and traditional wooden architecture of days gone by.

As well as rocky bays, isles and forests made for sailing and trekking, you may be surprised to learn that Denmark has a swathe of sandscapes. Put on your hiking boots to visit the abandoned Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, which you can reach by clambering the mega dunes that now surround it, and Rabjerg Mile, the largest migrating sand dune in Northern Europe.

Add a final flourish to your holiday in Denmark by nipping over the border for a day in Malmö, Sweden. Getting there is half the fun as it'll take you across Øresund Bridge of TV's The Bridge fame.

Weather in Copenhagen

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	2	3	5	10	16	20	21	21	17	13	8	4
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	4	6	8	8	8	7	5	3	2	1
Days with some rainfall	17	13	15	13	11	11	13	13	14	15	17	17
Sea temperature °C	1	0	0	1	8	14	17	17	15	11	8	3

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10. Puerto Rico

After an uncertain and challenging year, many people are just desperate for a reliably relaxing and beautiful beach break with fantastic weather. No need to look any further for that than Puerto Rico. An unincorporated US territory, this Caribbean island may be under the American rule of law but it has an identity, character and heritage all of its own.

For holidaymakers, Puerto Rico ticks a lot of boxes. You've got the platinum beaches and warm Caribbean waters, made for swimming, snorkelling, diving and all sorts of watersports such as standup paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and surfing.

Then there are the magnificent mountains and bountiful rainforests of the interior such as in The Caribbean National Forest, known locally as El Yunque. This tropical rainforest is alive with wildlife and boasts a wonderful network of hiking routes, often to the many waterfalls inviting you for a refreshing dip.

But it's not all seascapes and rural forest trails. Puerto Rico has a buzzing capital, San Juan, where its once-Spanish-ruled past can be seen in the architecture and fortress ruins. For night owls, Puerto Rico has plenty of late-night bars and clubs that pump lively local music into the wee hours.

Weather in San Juan

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	27	27	28	29	29	30	30	30	30	30	29	28
Hours of sunshine (daily)	8	8	9	9	8	9	9	9	8	7	7	7
Days with some rainfall	20	15	15	14	16	17	19	20	18	18	19	21
Sea temperature °C	26	26	26	26	27	28	28	28	29	29	28	27

More about Puerto Rico >>

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11. Egypt

Voyage through the ages on a holiday to Egypt in 2023. Visit the vibrant capital of Cairo, see the pyramids in all their glory, cruise down the Nile and wander the ruins of ancient temples at the likes of the Valley of Kings and Queens, Luxor and Abu Simbel.

Opt for the full desert experience with a night camping under the stars or retreat to your luxury cabin aboard a vintage paddle steamer - either way, you're sure to treasure any time spent in this majestic part of North Africa.

If, however, you prefer your holiday more beachy than history, look no further than Egypt's Red Sea coast. Great value holidays to the well-equipped resorts and bustling hotels of this azure seascape are in abundance and with ample international restaurants and bars, it's sure to be a lively yet relaxing break.

While giving in to simply sunbathing is actively encouraged, day trips into the desert, sunset cruises and scuba diving experiences promise to complete any trip. And, of course, the weather in Egypt is hugely attractive, whether you like the high heat and sunny days of summer or warm, more comfortable climes for some winter sun.

Weather in Luxor

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	22	24	29	34	38	40	40	39	38	34	28	24
Hours of sunshine (daily)	9	10	10	10	11	12	12	12	11	10	10	9
Days with some rainfall	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

More about Egypt >>

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Ready to get booking for 2023? For more destination inspiration, visit our holidays' section, while our deals and discounts are sure to help you get to where you want to go next year for less.

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

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