Top 10 Bucket List Destinations in 2023

Ancient Egypt

This should be a big year for Egypt: the long-anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids in Giza featuring Tutankhamun’s funerary mask and a colossal statue of Ramses the Great amongst its many treasures. If Kenneth Branagh’s movie remake of Death on the Nile hasn’t put you off, a cruise on the great river is a must!

 Best months to visit: November-April.

St Lucia

St Lucia is arguably the prettiest and most romantic of the Caribbean islands, with an array of luxury hotels, some in hidden coves surrounded by forest like Sugar Beach, and others tucked away amid the lush volcanic peaks like Ladera.

Best months to visit: anytime except September-October.

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

With South America back on the map, the Galapagos Islands are a great place to start. You can join a small-boat cruise between the islands, swim and snorkel with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles and enjoy intimate encounters with giant tortoises and iguanas. Don’t miss mainland Ecuador with its volcanic peaks, national parks and colonial towns.

Best months to visit: all year round but June-November is dry and cool while December-May is wet and warm

Mauritius

The old adage about Mauritius was “five-star destination, three-star hotels”. That’s no longer the case, with stunning resorts dotted around the pristine coastline. There’s much more to the island than white-sand beaches. You can hike in the forests, climb Le Morne Brabant, eat creole food and visit extraordinary botanical gardens. 

Best months to visit: any time, though winter (May-October) is drier and cooler.

Borneo

Although it has some of the finest white-sand beaches in Southeast Asia, Borneo’s true lure is its unique flora and fauna, from pygmy elephants to orang-utans and Probiscus monkeys.

Best months to visit: March-October.

Morocco

It’s only three hours flying time from the UK, yet Morocco offers a world of thrilling experiences, from the ancient souks of Fez to the kasbahs of the south and the rugged beauty of the Atlas Mountains.

Best months to visit: March-May and September-November.

Iceland

Another wonderfully exotic destination within a few hours flying time of the UK, Iceland offers epic adventures and thrilling encounters with the natural world, from geysers, glaciers and thermal pools to whales, seals and puffins.

Best months to visit: May-July for midnight sun; November-March for the Northern Lights.

Japan

One of the most beguiling, ancient, ultra-modern and mystical of destinations, Japan is slowing opening once more to tourists. Best months to visit: March-May and September-November.

Sardinia

Fancy a gorgeous hotel on a white-sand beach overlooking a turquoise sea? You don’t have to cross continents to find one, just head to the lovely Italian island of Sardinia.

Best months to visit: May-October, though August is busy with Italian visitors.

Amalfi Coast

Italy’s Amalfi Coast may be known for its glamorous hotels and hair-raising roads, but you can also explore it on foot taking in Corpo di Cava, Ravello and Positano, walking along mountain trails and through pretty villages, lemon groves and vineyards, staying in small characterful hotels. 

Best months to visit: April-June and September-October.