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2023 is shaping up to be the year travel officially bounces back. From idyllic islands, ancient wonders to cultural capitals, we have selected our 5 must-visit places to inspire your 2023 travel list. All are places you can reconnect and create lasting memories.
The magical island of Madeira is one of travel’s best kept secrets. This lush, waterfall-filled, volcanic Portuguese isle on Morocco’s Atlantic coast offers epic adventures and friendly people.
With charming towns, an abundance of nature, superb food, and a range of outdoor activities, Madeira tops the list as being one of the 'must visit' destinations in 2023. With its mild, subtropical climate it makes it an all-year-round destination, remaining in a state of blissful, eternal spring, ideal if you want to escape the harsh winter in the UK.
A holiday to Madeira is packed full of beautiful natural sights, from its rugged cliffs leading down to the sparkling ocean to manicured botanic gardens brimming with native trees and flowers. The mountains are perfect for those wanting to explore Portugal’s natural landscapes, while the cosmopolitan capital, Funchal, is home to upmarket bars, restaurants and shops. Marvel at the island's stunning landscape as you ride the cable car up to the top of the cliffs, and delve into the gastronomic delights and savour the local wines and fresh seafood on offer.
Spend your days taking in the architecture of the pretty fishing villages dotted around the island or exploring the ancient ruins and 18th Century churches. Visit the old town of Funchal for narrow streets and a vibrant marina showcasing yachts of the rich and famous. The buildings will take you through the fascinating history of the island, with Gothic, Victorian and modern architecture rubbing shoulders and housing luxury hotels, pretty bars and cafés, as well as some of Portugal’s best restaurants.
If this isn't enough to have you booking your holiday to this Atlantic gem, according to a study by a flight comparison website, Madeira is one of the ‘best-value destinations’ for 2023 as return economy flights from the UK have dropped 22 per cent.
Stay 7 nights at the Quinta Bela Sao Tiago in Funchal, a charming 19th century manor house which has been lovingly converted into a 4-star hotel.
Summer 2022 was effectively the first time that Norway was open to visitors again, post-pandemic, due to border closures and Covid restrictions, followed by reduced flight capacity when travel finally did resume there. By then, however, domestic tourism was booming (Norwegians having rediscovered the joys of their own country) and any remaining capacity had been snapped up by other international markets. 2023 will be a different story; specialist tour operator Sunvil is already seeing a surge in enquiries from Brits keen not to miss out on their Norway getaway this year. Winter bookings are strong too, boosted in no small part by NASA’s recent announcement that the Northern Lights are going to grow in intensity until 2025, the Solar Maximum. Add to all this, the Arctic Route (public transport bus) from Tromso to Senja, Vesteralen, Lofoten and Narvik – new for summer 2023 – plus the Tromso to Alta route that’s already available from this winter, an array of newly refurbished hotels and attractions, a strong and stable exchange rate with the Norwegian Krone and – of course – all the natural beauty and experiences for which Norway is renowned… and it’s going to be a pretty difficult destination to resist!
Discover the wild and beautiful landscape of Northern Norway with our 7 night 'Summer in Northern Norway - The Lofoten' itinerary.
At Sunvil, we’ve been enchanted by the beauty of Croatia, her coastline, her islands, her National Parks and her surprisingly eclectic capital, Zagreb. So it's no surprise that we have recently added this beautiful country to our portfolio of holiday destinations.
A large part of Croatia’s appeal comes from its coastline which stretches out for 1,778 kilometres and 1,185 islands float off the shores. Each place has its own calling card. The likes of Kolocep and Mljet put Mother Nature in the driving seat, while Hvar and Dubrovnik are favourites with celebrities and film-makers. Then there’s the island of Brac, which is known for its iconic, fin-shaped beach. If you can’t settle on just one place, we can arrange a multi-centre holiday which is sure to do the trick.
Two of Croatia's 'must visit' destinations in 2023 (and it's a tough choice!), are the region of Istria and the island of Korcula.
Istria
Never has a truer word been spoken than that of the Romans calling Istria the ‘magic land’, ‘Terra Magica’.
Blessed with a beauty that seems familiar and yet exotic, this heart-shaped region to the northwest of Croatia brings together Venetian heritage, continental influences and local myths. The magic is in the feast its lush land brings to the eyes and the way it enraptures the soul. From its rolling hills, excellent vineyards, olive groves, hilltop villages and snow-capped mountains to its resplendent fishing communities, bordered by turquoise Adriatic waters, there is majesty awaiting at every turn.
Why should Istria be at the top of your list for holidays in 2023?
Istria is a destination loved by many, but which has a myriad of lesser-known gems that will start the heart pounding of even the most well-travelled. Inland, from its popular coastline, there is a sense of peace and where, even in the height of season, you can find a spot to call your own.
Days here can be spent exploring the heartland of the region, walking in the mountains, horseriding along the Mirna River valley, cycling along the route of the former Parezana railway line which connected Venice with Porec (and now a tarmac narrow road for cyclists) and learning about the rich, local produce. Alternatively, with distances short and connections strong, why not self-drive along some of Croatia’s most scenic coastlines, sample the daily catch or visit the Brujini Islands and National Park.
Short breaks and longer stays are available in abundance. For the more independent traveller, the contrast between a rural stay in Istria’s inland valleys with a seaside escape is an award-winning combination.
Explore the rural, mountainous landscapes along with the stunning Adriatic coastline of this beguiling region with our 7 night 'Istria Twin Centre' holiday.
Island of Korcula
This lesser known Croatian island is home to pristine beaches, great seafood restaurants and a medieval old town with the nickname, 'Little Dubrovnik'. The island’s interior offers woodland covered landscape and vineyards close to little hamlets, while fishing villages still line the coast.
Korcula, is one of the most popular seaside destinations in Croatia making it the perfect holiday choice for families. Famous for its vineyards, olive groves and its spectacular Old Town, Korčula Island is the perfect holiday destination for food and wine connoisseurs, island lovers and culture vultures alike.
The town of Korcula is a medieval masterpiece, replete with majestic walls and a rustic harbour. It is supposedly the birthplace of the legendary explorer Marco Polo; whose house is an attraction in the town. This combined with several other picturesque villages, dense woodlands and a magnificent seascape makes Korcula one of the top holiday destinations in 2023.
Combine Korcula and the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik with our 9 night 'Croatia Two Centre - Dubrovnik & Korcula' itinerary.
Famed for its white-sand beaches, with a good choice of flights from the UK and plenty of beach resorts dotted along its stunning coastline, Halkidiki is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday as a couple or with the family.
The three peninsulas here have beaches and pine trees in common but each has a contrasting mood and attractions. The easternmost - Kassandra - is where most visitors stay and has the majority of Halkidiki's resort areas and hotels, which correlates with a wide choice of nightlife - ranging from classic tavernas to fusion restaurants, beach cafes to music bars - and water sports in most resorts. Afytos is the most traditional and pretty village on Kassandra in which to stay and enjoy restaurants serving local fare and live Greek music in the bars during summer weekends.
Sithonia, the central peninsula, is very chilled and has a stunning coastline dotted with beaches and coves large and small - many with pine trees reaching down to the water's edge.
The eastern peninsula is dominated in the south by Mount Athos, the holy mountain - home to Byzantine monasteries and resident monks. Semi-autonomous, a ban on female visitors. and strict limits on male ones means that most people view this spectacular and historic region from the sea, on one of the popular boat cruises that operate from Ouranoupolis. To the north our little village of Olymbiada is our favoured place to stay. You can also stay on the small island of Ammouliani just offshore.
Wherever you stay in Halkidiki you will encounter sun-kissed beaches, secluded bays, quaint villages, modern resorts, pine-covered hills and crystal clear seas, not to mention the most welcoming locals and a delicious cuisine (try the world famous mussels in Olymbiada).
Discover the magic and splendour of all three peninsulas with our 10 night 'Highlights of Halkidiki' itinerary.
Home to pristine rainforests, majestic volcanoes, tangled mangroves, and stunning beaches lapped by both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans, exuberant Costa Rica exudes life at every turn.
One of the world’s most biodiverse countries, this Central American stunner has been blazing the trail for responsible travel for decades. Alongside its exceptional eco lodges and community-minded tourism projects, the country exudes its pura vida (“pure living”) ethos from every town, village, cloud forest and jungle.
One the best places to experience Costa Rica’s natural and wildlife wonders is on the Osa Peninsula in the southern province of Puntarenas. Here the Parque Nacional Corcovado is one of Costa Rica’s best walking destinations, and among its most biodiverse regions.
Also one of the most beautiful national parks in Costa Rica, the Corcovado reserve is home to many of the world's most endangered and spectacular mammals, including tapirs and jaguars.
If you need another reason to visit this year, it's worth knowing that on 14th October 2023, you'll be able to see an annular solar eclipse in Costa Rica. This is when the moon covers the sun's centre, leaving a “ring of fire” around the moon.
Awesome wildlife and landscapes aside, this stellar event secured Costa Rica's spot as one of the best travel destinations in 2023.
Discover the 'pura vida' of this captivating Central American country for yourself with our 12 night 'Comprehensive Costa Rica' itinerary.
4th January 2023
Sunvil's holidays are designed by passionate travellers just like you. Our reservations experts and product teams, many of whom have been with us for many years, are passionate about our destinations and, through their personal, first-hand knowledge can answer any questions that you may have. They are well qualified to advise and recommend, based on your own holiday criteria. We can point you to those special, little-known places, some not found even in guidebooks.
Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Sunvil on
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