The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023

CARP APPROVED PARTNER SPONSORED CONTENT | January 4th, 2023

Welcome to 2023 – a fresh new year to pursue all your travel dreams. We sincerely hope you and your family had a warm and wonderful holiday season. Whether you are at home – or already away enjoying the sun in some beautiful place abroad – now is the time to plan this year’s travel adventures.

What destinations are in store for you? Like many, you may be rushing to cross off all your ‘must-see’ sites and dream trips, having lost precious years. The early days of January are so ideal for looking back over the past year and charting a new course forward.

All aboard… let’s jump in and discover the world.

Fulfill your Travel Dreams this Year

Do you prefer cultural travel – or beach vacations? Exotic far-flung lands – or charming, sunny places closer to home? Perhaps after the quiet pandemic years, a vibrant bustling city vacation is calling your name? Or a foodie experience to sample delicious cuisine?

Whatever your travel style or preference, you will find some exciting ideas for top destinations in Travel and Leisure’s famous 50 Best Places to Travel list. For 2023, they have broken down this excellent resource into 7 travel categories, similar to the ones referred to above, including culture, beach, city, and foodie categories.

Read the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023 list here.

At a quick glance through, some particular surprises and highlights stood out to us among their top 50. Here are three:

“The City” in Nevada: Made the cultural destinations list – and there is nothing in the world like it. Just a few hours from Las Vegas (not far from area 51) stands a very ambitious and remarkable work of art and architecture.

The Jura, France: Ranked among great foodie destinations. For serious oenophiles, this is the place to go to sample the new vin jaune, “yellow wine,” made from native Savagnin grapes and aged “under a veil.”

Copenhagen, Denmark: That wonderful city of fairy tales and Tivoli gardens has been named the official UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023.

Japan and South Korea: Cherry Blossoms, Buddhist Temples, and Bullet Trains

Do you dream of touring the exotic lands of the far east? In the past, far-flung destinations like Japan and South Korea may have seemed out of each for most travellers. Today, they have all the travel infrastructures and conveniences that make touring smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

Japan is truly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Everyone should visit once in their lifetime. It boasts one of the oldest civilizations in the world but at the same time is a country of the future. The Japanese have embraced technology like no one on the planet. From robots to super-fast bullet trains to impressive vending machines with clothes and shoes. Yet their geishas, samurai, beautiful gardens, forests, and ancient temples are still perhaps what mesmerize travelers the most!

This March, we have a beautiful, 16-day Japan and South Korea, not to be missed. We take in all the most magnificent sites of both countries from their bustling modern cities to the serene countryside villages and natural parks. Best of all, we are timing the trip so you will catch the cherry blossoms – the most beautiful season of the year in the east!

Ireland: Exploring the Emerald Isle, from South to North 

From friendly, cosmopolitan Dublin with its legendary pubs and literary history… to storied Norman castles, the Blarney Stone, and the soaring cliffs of Moher, it’s hard not to fall in love with Ireland. Then, there is Northern Ireland. Formerly off limits, the north is a fascinating area with grand architecture and intriguing history often missed by travellers. Belfast today has many unique and iconic attractions such as the Titanic Experience (yes – this was the city where the famous ship was built!), together with outstanding heritage sites like the Grand Opera House, Parliament Buildings and fantastic Irish food and drink.

Walk in the footsteps of great poets and writers

When you journey to Ireland, you will soak up the same inspiration that fueled the creative minds of so many literary icons.

Here is a short list of just 8 great writers that hailed from Ireland,
Have you read any of them lately?

  1. Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745)
  2. William Congreve (1670 – 1729)
  3. Laurence Stern (1713 – 1768)
  4. Oliver Goldsmith (1728 – 1774)
  5. B. Yeats (1865 – 1939)
  6. Oscar Wilde (1845 – 1900)
  7. Bram Stoker (1847 – 1912)
  8. Maeve Binchy (1940 – 2012)

Mad about Maeve: Among these literary giants, Dubliner Maeve Binchy (who died at 72 just a decade ago) has left an impressive legacy. Her great novels about love and romance have sold over 40 million copies easily cementing her place amongst the best loved Irish writers of all time.

If green is your favourite colour, you adore Guinness – or you just hanker to see this magical emerald isle, you’re in luck. This spring, we are offering a delightful 15-day group tour that takes in all of Ireland’s best historic sites, pub experiences and beautiful scenery – from south starting in Dublin to North where we see Belfast. Our All Around Ireland tour has three different departure dates in May 2023 to choose from.

Come explore Ireland with us.

At Senior Discovery Tours, we know how to make great travel experiences happen. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been Canada’s largest and most trusted operator of escorted tours for travellers over 55 — offering trips to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Wherever you yearn to explore — and whatever your tour style (from walking adventures to stay put holidays) — we can take you there!

Five Ways we Make your Journey Better

1. All flights, hotels and most excursions are included: plus, all transfers, taxes, health & cancellation insurance, and tipping!

2. Carefully selected hotels: we personally inspect each property for quality, service, and value.

3. Most meals are covered: and they are delicious ones too, allowing you to sample the best of local cuisine.

4. Exceptional Tour Managers: who go above and beyond to make sure that everyone has a wonderful experience – and each day’s activities are at just the right pace.

5. Round-trip transportation right from your doorstep to the airport: and safely back home again (from most Canadian cities).

Ready to travel? Let us save your seat!
Call to book 1.800.268.3492 or visit SeniorDiscoveryTours.ca

CARP Members: Book your spot on any tours booked in 2023 and receive $100 off per person, per booking. Use promotion code: CARP at the time of booking. The discount must be applied at time of booking, is not valid on existing bookings, is not combinable with any other offer, and has no cash value.

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