With travelling now back in full force, let's discuss our predicted hot-spots for 2023.
Berlin, Germany
As famous for its culture as it is for its famously exclusive and alternative nightlife, the bohemian capital of Germany lives up to its reputation and then some. You can tour the various galleries and exhibits on the Museum Island during the day, walk or cycle through Berlin’s history like the Brandenberg gate or the remnants of the Berlin Wall, or soak up the vibes, second-hand stores, and quirky bars of the Friedrichshain-Kruezberg area. And of course, the nightlife in Berlin is well-documented. Whilst certain clubs like Tresor and Berghain are famous for their incredibly strict bouncers and all black dress code, there are over 4,500 other nightclubs and bars to explore, so whatever your scene is, you’ll find it here.
Flights start at £55 return pp from Newcastle.
Image credit: Pixabay
Cape Town, South Africa
A troubled past and bad reputation often means holidaymakers don’t give South Africa the time of day. Yet they are overlooking an entire continent, located within a single country, where your money will go a long way. Cape Town, with its vibrant nightlife, beautiful seafront, and crystal-clear beaches (you might even spot the African penguins that make Boulders Beach their home) offers opportunities to surf and shark cage dive if you’re an adrenaline seeker, but if that sounds a bit much, there is opportunities to wine taste in the vineyards of Stellenbosch and appreciate the varied culture and food of the Cape. Once you’ve had your fill of the city, you can take an internal flight to the east of the country, where the expansive Kruger National Park gives you the opportunity to go on safari, with a meeting with at least one of the Big 5 African land animals almost guaranteed. I’d forgive you for being tempted.
Flights start at £697 return pp from London Heathrow.
Image credit: Pixabay
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The small capital of a country of just over 2 million people, what Ljubljana lacks in size it makes up for in charm. Perfect for a small weekend getaway, you can hike up to the castle or just walk the streets of the old town, stopping at the bars and restaurants along the river, or rent bikes to cycle to the pretty Tivoli park. No trip would be complete without taking the train ride up to Lake Bled, which after about an hour of journeying through the pretty Slovenian countryside will drop you at the crystal-blue waters of the lake, with a church on an island in the middle that looks straight out of a Disney movie. Depending on the weather, you can take a dip, get a boat across to the island or just take a walk on the paths around the lake. An ideal mini break to get away from university life perhaps?
Flights start at £55 return pp from London terminals.
Image credit: Pixabay
Madeira, Portugal
Described as the Hawaii of Europe, this volcanic island lies 978 km off the coast of Portugal, and only a 4-hour flight from London. The sub-tropical climate hovers around 20 degrees Celsius year-round so when I visited in December 2021, it was T-shirt and shorts weather for the duration of my stay. The volcanic nature of the island means there are natural hot springs, jet black beaches and stunning hikes in the dramatic rainforests and gorges that make up the interior whilst the main and only real city of the island, Funchal, is most commonly known as the birthplace of the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, the restaurants, churches and architecture also grab the attention. If you’re looking for a cheaper, warmer Iceland, you’ve found it.
Flights start at £47 return pp from London Gatwick.
Image credit: Unsplash
Vancouver, Canada
The snowless ski season experienced by many European resorts certainly isn’t a one-off, and this year’s lack of powder on the slopes will certainly have many skiers searching elsewhere for their fix. And where better than Canada? Vancouver and the wider British Colombia region offer a surplus of ski resorts such as the famous Whistler resort, just a 75-mile drive along the scenic Route 99 along with more affordable options like Sun Peaks. With the Pound at one of its strongest rates to the Canadian dollar post-Brexit, and with regular 10-hour flights out of the London terminals to various destinations, maybe you could make Vancouver your regular ski destination this year? Flights start at £503 return from London Heathrow pp.
