TRAVEL | WANDERLUST | MONTHLY CHALLENGE

My Travel Wish List for 2023 — So Many Possibilities

Nothing Booked Yet — I Am Excited to Explore the Options

I am getting this article in down to the second last day of submission, but I wanted to participate because travel has really been back on my mind over the last few days — after a brief wanderlust hiatus. The photo featured above is the amazing Cinque Terre in Italy. I have visited, and a return to explore more of Italy as well as visit family is on my list for sure — but it could be 2024 to allow a better planned trip.

I have spent time reading email articles on best places to travel to in 2023, contemplating how to maximize my limited but decent vacation time at a new job, afford the travel, explore places with ease, as well as go to at least one new unique and interesting place.

I enjoyed this article by Scott-Ryan Abt and found his wish list itinerary adventurous and pretty cool. Especially exploring Norway and Finland, Chile and Bulgaria. It is interesting that Sofia, Bulgaria popped up as an affordable and underrated city that I noticed in an article today as well.

As for what I want to get up to travel wise in 2023, I would like a good mix of everything throughout the year. My recent travel research includes the following places that have piqued my interest. I will just share a few of a pretty extensive list!

MARTINIQUE

The island of Martinique had not really been on my radar before, but then I read a New York Times Article on Places to Travel in 2023 and this exotic island was on the list. It seems like a great place to see, something different than the standard all inclusive resort experience. Turns out I could head there via Montreal on a direct flight, and Toronto to Montreal is a super easy flight. So while it wouldn’t be super easy to get there, it wouldn’t be that hard to pull off either. I am not sure if I will get there this year, but an island like this, or perhaps Grenada — is on my list to get to fairly soon.

PORTO

I would love to include Porto in my travel plans this year, because it seems like it would be an easy European destination to get off my list. Time is limited to do extended trips, and I would prefer to go to several places over the year instead of one or two long trips. Airfares to Europe are quite a bit higher this year, especially to Portugal — but they are still decent enough to consider just going for about 5 days. Especially when Air Transat offers direct flights from Toronto. I will have to weigh the pros and cons, but I would love to see explore this compact and gorgeous city, and include a side trip to Aveiro — known as Portuguese Venice.

I connected with this article by Ophélie Quillier about the advantages of short trips, because they do feel easier, and can still be a very worthwhile experience.

LAS VEGAS

Not everyone loves Las Vegas, but it is still one of my favorite destinations. It is always an interesting escape for me, even if some of the paths I explore there are a bit of routine (because I have been there many times). There is always so much more to do and see, and is an easy place to feel content just wandering in. There is plenty of art, food, people watching, entertainment, and escapes to nature are close by as well. The city can be expensive, and overwhelming — but I enjoy the quieter mid week days there, and have found a way to always enjoy it in my own unique and surprisingly affordable way. Bonus is how easy it is to get there. I think I will include a short trip or two there in 2023.

One of the best (and free) things to do in Vegas is featured here:

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

I have wanted to go to Charleston for a long time, and it is a possibility this year — but I may go to a more under-the-radar destination instead. Still a southern city that I can get to with air miles, but I am considering Greenville, South Carolina or for a bigger city option — Charlotte, North Carolina. I hear good things about the culture, vibe and food in these destinations. I like exploring US cities, and a new Southern city would be pretty cool to check out. One of my favorite cities of all time is Savannah, Georgia.

MERIDA, MEXICO

Merida, a Mexican colonial city in the Yucatan looks amazing. The culture, the food and overall vibe is something I would like to experience. But I wouldn’t want to rush a trip back to this area — especially if I had to make Cancun the gateway. It would be a long bus ride, and I would want to include Tulum, Valladolid, and yes — even a couple of days back in my old vacation stomping grounds of Cancun. But, if a great flight deal comes up that arrives right in Merida, I just might finally visit the colorful and unique destination — even for just a few days.

In addition to above, I want to take a spontaneous flight within Canada — there are so many good deals on flights and I want to take advantage of that. And I always love exploring local towns, especially in the summer.

While my plans are still in the making, I will be grateful for any new travel adventures in 2023, big and small.