Bhutan

For travellers with a sense of adventure and a love of discovery, Bhutan has always been a bucket-list trip. And in 2023, travellers can once again explore via the Trans-Bhutan Walking Trail, which reopened in late 2022 after a renovation. This is the first time it has been open to tourists in 60 years! This ancient trail runs 400 kilometres from east to west, offering views of the Himalayan Kingdom’s one-of-a-kind landscape and visits to the century-old communities along the journey. The trail spans across 18 major bridges and one national park as it connects more than 400 historic and cultural sites.
Check out these natural wonders of the world to put on your bucket list.
Bordeaux, France

The coming years will be decidedly sporty in the historical wine region of Bordeaux in France. In 2023, the city will host the Rugby World Cup and the Tour de France before raising the colourful flags of the Olympic Games in 2024, when it will host the men’s and women’s football, aka soccer, matches.
Beyond sports, Bordeaux is one of our favourite historical cities, with more than 350 structures that are either nationally or regionally listed Historical Monuments (Monuments Historiques), and the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s easy to get there from Paris, since there’s a TGV train that can whisk you there in just two hours. According to GlobalData, France is set to become the most visited country by 2025. Go now, before everyone else does!
Dubai

Waterpark and thrill-ride fans, take note: when The Atlantis, The Royal opens this year in Dubai on man-made The Palm island, it will have 105 waterslides and 90 pools! Yes, you read that right. It will surpass any water park, any hotel or any other Atlantis property, for that matter. If there’s only one hotel opening you focus on this year for a best place to travel in 2023, this is the one. No wonder Dubai is the most popular travel destination of 2023, as ranked by TripAdvisor users.
The Atlantis, The Royal is not just a water park, of course. The 43-storey ultra-luxury resort will sit in the heart of Dubai, featuring 795 rooms and suites with views of the futuristic city skyline and Arabian Gulf. Situated on two kilometres of beachfront, Atlantis, The Royal will boast 17 onsite restaurants curated by celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs, including Heston Blumenthal and Jose Andres. And all stays come with complimentary entrance to what’s being called the world’s leading aquatic theme park. We’re already breaking out the sunscreen!