23 best destinations to travel in 2023

As the peak holiday season approaches and the world lifts Covid-19 restrictions, travel enthusiasts should not miss some of the attractive destinations voted by CNN .

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, in the first quarter of 2023, international tourism recovered 80% compared to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels, with about 235 million visitors.

After a long period of "closed doors and locked doors", the demand for foreign travel among travel enthusiasts is very high, many hotels in famous destinations have announced that they are fully booked.

Below are some ideal destinations in 2023 suggested by CNN .

CNN: 23 điểm đến tốt nhất để du lịch năm 2023

As a country with one of the longest histories in Europe, Poland possesses majestic ancient cultural heritages and beautiful landscapes. Famous tourist destinations in Poland include: the world's oldest salt mine Wieliczka, the ancient city of Krakow, the capital Warsaw, the old town of Warsaw, Malbork Castle ...

Western Australia covers a third of the entire Kangaroo Nation mainland, stretching from the vibrant state capital of Perth, through the Great Victoria and Great Sandy deserts, to the Margaret River wine country and the dramatic cliffs of the Kimberley... Pictured is Rottnest Island in this region.

The English port city of Liverpool is famous for being the birthplace of the music legend The Beatles. This is also the host city of Eurovision 2023, the 67th Eurovision Song Contest with thousands of fans. In June 2023, Liverpool will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool Biennial contemporary visual arts festival. More than 30 famous international artists will attend, promising to bring an attractive visual "feast" to viewers.

Charleston is one of the best-preserved cities in America, with countless historic buildings, brick shops of indigenous residents and a rich culinary culture. There are more than 1,400 historic houses, churches that have been intact and are still in use for more than 200 years, some houses are over 300 years old. It was also the first city in America to pass a preservation law to protect architectural works, according to which, any changes to the exterior must be approved by the city's architectural council. Buildings built during the colonial period and before the American Civil War still exist. Thanks to that, tourists can visit the first theater in America, which still lights up every night.

Vilnius is the largest city and capital of Lithuania, famous for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The entire city centre of Vilnius was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Before World War II, Vilnius was one of the largest Jewish centres in Europe. Vilnius is the only European capital that allows hot air balloons to fly over the city.

Fiji is famous for its brilliant blue waters, vast coral reefs and hundreds of idyllic islands. In addition to its stunning ocean views, the South Pacific paradise also boasts terrestrial treasures such as Levuka, Fiji’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Levuka is Fiji’s former capital and important port, with British colonial buildings nestled among lush coconut palms.

Manaus is the largest city in the Brazilian Amazon. Nestled in the heart of the jungle, Manaus is the perfect starting point for a trip into the Amazon jungle. This tourist city has many attractions, from lavish buildings to expansive colonial plazas. Here, visitors can visit Teatro Amazonas – a neoclassical opera house dating back to 1896. In addition, Manaus is also home to the Adolpho Duque Botanical Garden and Bosque da Ciência. At these two destinations, visitors can easily learn about Brazilian nature and science.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city and capital of the Macedonia region in Northern Greece. Lively festivals, social events and a vibrant nightlife have made the city the cultural capital of Greece. Thessaloniki is a wonderful blend of modern and ancient beauty. In the historic city center and commercial district, Thessaloniki attracts visitors with its famous Byzantine walls, the White Tower and Turkish baths, colorful food markets, museums and art galleries.

Rwanda is a must-see destination for animal lovers in Africa. Rwanda is the only country in the world that reinvests 10% of its tourism revenue into national parks and local communities to protect and maintain gorilla habitat. In addition to the wildlife experience, Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, is incredibly beautiful despite the painful traces of past genocide, a testament to the strong vitality of its people. The Rukari Museum is the cradle of Rwandan culture, trade and art.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, a place that attracts many tourists to visit. This place is known for its harmonious beauty between modern dynamic city life and green life in harmony with nature, voted as the most sustainable destination in the world for six consecutive years. Not only that, Gothenburg also has the liberal beauty of the West Swedish coast. Culture is the highlight of Gothenburg. This place is home to the largest film festival in Scandinavia, as well as many other art forms and art events such as painting, music... Besides, there are also many architectural works with unique and impressive designs.

When it comes to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), visitors often think of the skyscrapers of Dubai. However, the UAE has plenty to offer nature lovers, especially the northernmost emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, which aims to become the most sustainable destination in the Middle East by 2025 thanks to its new “balanced tourism” strategy. Just 45 minutes from Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah is often called the “Adventure Emirate” due to its beaches, deserts and mountains, with plenty of outdoor activities such as sandboarding, trekking, surfing, skydiving, scuba diving and the world’s longest zipline. Not only that, Ras Al Khaimah is where you will find the highest restaurant in the UAE, 1484 by Puro, located in the Jebel Jais mountain range. Culture lovers can head to the historic Dhayah Fort, which dates back to the Bronze Age (1600-1300 BC). Pictured, Dhayah Fort in Ras al-Khaimah is one of the few remaining hill forts in the UAE.

Laos is an ideal destination in the journey to conquer the beauty of Southeast Asia. Known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" with a unique culture long influenced by Buddhism, this is an ideal pilgrimage destination for spiritual tourists. Coming to Laos, you will be captivated by ancient cities, Buddhist structures and ancient heritages. Visitors can conquer the towering limestone peaks in the "adventure paradise" of Vang Vieng, or explore the ancient city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed place with French colonial heritage, Buddhist rituals and natural beauty, visit the mysterious Plain of Jars, a megalithic archaeological site, which can be found on the Xiangkhoang Plateau. In the photo, the three-tiered Kuang Si Waterfall is located just south of Luang Prabang.

Gruyère is a small, peaceful town with a population of more than 2,000, in the Swiss canton of Fribourg. This town is located in the valley of the Saane River, next to the majestic Alps. Its name is associated with the world's best cheese brand Gruyère. In this small town on the top of the hill, no matter where you stand, you will see a picture-perfect scene. Coming to Gruyère, you cannot help but visit the castle of the same name, which is a symbol of this town. The ancient Gruyère Castle was built in the 13th century (1270-1282) and is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland. The Tibet Museum, a surprising spot in the small town of Gruyères with an attractive collection of more than 300 items, including Buddhist statues dating from the 6th to 7th centuries. It also houses a variety of sculptures, drawings, paintings, religious and ritual objects of significance to Buddhism.

Minneapolis is the largest city in the state of Minnesota (USA), and is also the capital of Hennepin County, located on both banks of the Mississippi River and bordering the city of Saint Paul. Minneapolis is known as the city of lakes because it has 10,000 large and small lakes. Minneapolis attracts tourists with its dense river system and works of art. Notable destinations in Minneapolis: Minnehaha Park, Mill Ruins Park, Saint Mary's Church, Walker Art Center, Mall of America, Minneapolis Institute of Art and Weisman Art Museum...

Bogota is the capital and largest city of Colombia. There is no way to get bored in Bogota, with plenty to see and do, from exploring the colorful Spanish architecture to visiting Lake Guatavita, where sunken gold offerings left by the indigenous Muisca people were buried, to exploring the majestic underground salt cathedral of Zipaquirá. Bogota’s funicular and cable car system will give you a more impressive view of the city.

The Mustang Valley (Nepal) is famous for trekking through ancient trails that once facilitated trade between the Himalayas and India. Nepal's stunning Mustang Valley, located right on the "doorstep" of Tibet, is considered the best preserved example of Tibetan life in the world. Coming to Mustang, visitors can explore ancient villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries. Also not to be missed is the man-made Mustang Caves located on the Gandaki River, which are filled with 2,000-year-old Buddhist sculptures and paintings.

From breathtaking wildlife to beautiful national parks and beaches, Tanzania is a must-see destination in Africa. The East African country boasts a list of amazing attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Zanzibar Islands. Another must-see in Tanzania is Chumble Island, a luxury resort nestled in nature. In 2011, Chumble Island became the first island to receive the highest certification for conservation of nature, biodiversity, and culture with commercial tourism by the Global Ecosphere Retreat.

Naoshima Island is located off the southern coast of Kagawa Prefecture, in the Seto Inland Sea (Japan), famous for its unique contemporary art and architecture. In 2000, Naoshima was named one of the 7 wonders of the world by Conde Nast because it possesses many contemporary art spaces. At the same time, Naoshima is also an ideal destination for visitors to open their hearts in the open, peaceful natural space and freely explore art.

World famous for its many beautiful beaches, mysterious tropical forests, poetic waterfalls, colorful coral reefs, rich and diverse flora and fauna, Belize is one of the most popular tourist paradises. Not only that, Belize also attracts culture lovers because it is also a major center of the Mayan civilization. There are many ancient architectural works remaining from the legendary Mayan empire.

As the capital of the state of the same name, Oaxaca is located on a plateau with the largest population of Native American communities in Mexico. After more than 300 years of being influenced by Spanish culture, the lives of 17 Native American tribes in this land still retain many traditional customs and lifestyles. Each tribe has its own style, all creating a unique colorful picture of life that can only be found in Oaxaca. In the middle of the city with its noble European architecture, the colorful flared skirts of indigenous women and the colorful markets of spices and folk handicrafts create a scene that is both poetic and full of life. In addition to the beautiful villages, around the city of Oaxaca there are many carefully preserved Native American relics. The most famous is Mitla with its massive stone walls carved with meticulous patterns. Not far away is Yagül, an ancient citadel that holds 10,000-year-old hieroglyphs, and Dainzú, an intact pyramid.

Cairo is a large city located in the northern region of Egypt and is also the capital of Egypt. Cairo is located right next to the legendary Nile River, a place with a long history with ancient Egyptian civilization. In addition to the famous Giza pyramids, Cairo also has one of the largest collections of historical Islamic architecture in the world, the Al-Azhar Mosque, dating back to 970. When coming to Cairo, visitors cannot miss the GEM museum, which houses the entire collection of King Tutankhamun.

The sophisticated space of Montreal or the splendor of Toronto, the capital of Canada, Ottawa, is beautiful in its own way. Ottawa is known as the most livable city in the maple leaf country because of its peaceful scenery, with a slow and quiet pace of life. The landscape of Ottawa is full of green trees with large parks and natural forests, the air is extremely fresh and the scenery is like a painting. Besides, Ottawa also owns unique works of art such as a system of historical museums, art galleries, national art centers... preserving unique cultural values over hundreds of years. Not only that, Ottawa also leaves a special impression on visitors thanks to its ancient castles with hundreds of years of history. The most typical is the ancient Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel built in the 19th century.

Uganda “The Pearl of Africa” is blessed with a wide variety of habitats and corresponding flora and fauna. The variety of large wildlife reserves and stunning landscapes make Uganda the number one tourist destination in East Africa.