23 destinations to visit in 2023

Guyana’s capital of Georgetown is the perfect departure point for eco-trips into the rainforest and beyond. From here, the remote and staggeringly powerful Kaieteur Falls – four times taller than the Niagara Falls – is 45 minutes away by charter plane. But Guyana’s most jaw-dropping destinations are the southern savannahs and wetlands of the Rupununi. Back in 1956, David Attenborough filmed his second-ever documentary here, and today the region is still home to descendants of some of the animals he encountered: pumas, jaguars, caiman and red-footed tortoises, as well as globally threatened species such as the giant anteater and giant armadillo.

British Airways is launching twice-weekly long-haul flights to Guyana from London Gatwick from late March 2023.

The New York Times has called Aruba a place “where women lead” thanks to its female Prime Minister and a parliament where women hold a third of seats. It’s not just its attitude to female advancement that makes this Caribbean nation – and new BA destination – worth visiting. There’s also its people, food, culture and exquisite natural beauty. Hike past candelabra cactus in Arikok National Park, delight in the empty sandy beaches of Dos Playa and spy blue tangs and parrot fish at the reef at Mangel Halto. Plus, the ‘one happy workation’ programme allows British visitors to work here for up to 90 days visa-free.

British Airways is launching twice-weekly long-haul flights to Aruba from London Gatwick from late March 2023.

Vegas residencies have become a rite of passage for international stars (see: Elvis, Céline, Santana), and British superstar Adele returns in January for her much-anticipated residency at Caesars Palace. Over at The Venetian, the MSG Sphere opens in 2023. This state-of-the art venue with 160,000 speakers and multi-sensory tech (such as immersive seating) has reportedly booked U2 as the first act to perform. If you prefer a more turbo-charged experience, November 2023 sees the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, at night along the Strip.

In addition to the daily direct flights from London Heathrow, British Airways will resume a direct three-times-weekly service from London Gatwick to Las Vegas on 26 March 2023.

Sharks get bad press, but the greater their number, the healthier the ocean. During the pandemic, Turks and Caicos began its shark preservation efforts with help from the Caribbean Shark Coalition, which aims to protect 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030. For the past two years, researchers have been busy tagging sharks in the waters off the 40 islands and cays that make up the Turks and Caicos archipelago. Protecting sharks starts with knowing where they are, and the shark population in Turks and Caicos is thriving. Go scuba diving here and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see an apex predator. 

British Airways flies to Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos Islands from London Heathrow.

Already one of the greatest cities for hotels, the luxury scene in London continues to boom. Planned 2023 openings include The Peninsula at 1 Grosvenor Place; Raffles in the former Old War Office; Mandarin Oriental’s second London property in Mayfair; Six Senses in the Art Deco former Whiteleys department store in Queensway; and Waldorf Astoria opening in the 1910 Admiralty Arch building on the Mall.

British Airways flies the world to and from London.

Few places are better for embracing slow travel than Slovenia’s Vipava Valley. While high-impact pleasure seekers gravitate to the Nanos and Trnovo peaks looming over the valley, Vipava is suited to the low-intensity pleasures of eating, drinking and hiking. Everything is locally sourced, from mouth-watering cheese to honey and cured pršut (regional prosciutto). As for the plonk, Burja and several other Vipava wineries produce award-winning wines and command a cult following.

British Airways will fly to Ljubljana from London Heathrow up to six times a week from May 2023.

Ten months from the start of the next Rugby World Cup, a heightening of international standards across the globe suggests that 2023’s tournament could be anyone’s game. The drama will play out across nine French cities, including Nice hosting for the first time with matches scheduled for England, Wales and Scotland, Italy and Japan. The best thing about Nice? If the rugby doesn’t go your way, there’s always the Riviera to enjoy.

The Rugby World Cup will take place from 8 September to 28 October 2023. British Airways flies to Nice, Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse.

The ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot is styling itself as the latest hiking destination, with a new 30-mile coast-to-coast trail. Connecting the town of Pizzo on the Tyrrhenian Sea to Soverato on the Ionian Sea, the Calabria coast trail is a chance to savour centuries-old olive trees, little-known forests and crumbling faded villages that cling to cliffs. It’s just one of a handful of new Italian adventure projects planned: a 140km cycle path around Lake Garda is underway, while an ambitious, decade-long proposal will see a 7,000km hiking trail crisscross Italy, connecting its 25 National Parks.

British Airways flies to seven Italian cities.

Cape Town is breathtakingly beautiful and richly diverse. From small beginnings in 1993, Gay Pride Cape Town has become the biggest parade on the continent. An influx of travellers is expected to arrive on 23 February to celebrate the 30th anniversary with a ten-night Pride party. Also, watch out for E-Fest from 22-25 February, featuring the first ever Formula E race to hit Africa’s shores. 

British Airways is the only airline operating non-stop flights from both London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Cape Town.

Scheduled to arrive in one of the world’s most high-tech cities at the end of 2023 is the world’s first Robot & AI Museum. And its first exhibition? The museum itself. Robots were in charge of all stages of the project, from design to manufacturing and construction, while drones assisted with mapping and site inspections. The museum is part of a wider renovation of the Chang-dong area of Seoul and exhibitions will cover the latest innovations in AI, VR, AR, hologram technology and robotics.

British Airways flies to Tokyo from London Heathrow, while oneworld partner Japan Airlines flies from Tokyo to Seoul.

Between its deserted lagoons and slivers of islands too small to name, Bodrum is one of the Mediterranean’s most charismatic destinations. Nearly ten years after Mandarin Oriental opened here, a slew of new hotels continue to add to the glamour of this Turkish Riviera hangout. Check in to the new Birdcage 33 Hotel, the Bodrum Edition and Bodrum Loft, while a new Four Seasons is underway.

British Airways flies weekly to Bodrum from London Heathrow from May to October.

Saudi’s Red Sea development promises a groundbreaking change – to benefit the environment where its luxury resorts are built. The ambition is to become carbon negative while, through tourism, prioritising conservation and regenerating eco-systems degraded by farming and fishing. Two million trees destined for rewilding projects are maturing in nurseries, while a lab-grown coral garden opens new possibilities for research and reef regeneration. The development will be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy and transport will be on foot, bicycle or buggy. The first three resorts will all open next year – watch this space.

BA flies daily direct to Riyadh from London Heathrow.