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2022 was one for the books! I traveled through Europe, the Middle East, and got to visit six countries this year – some new countries, and some old favorites. And through the year I couldn’t help but want more – more incredible travel memories, more new friends from different places around the world, more experiences that only travel can bring. That’s why I can’t wait to usher in 2023 with excitement as I (hopefully) tick off some major bucket list countries.
My theme of 2023 is to visit places that seem off the beaten path, while still visiting obviously incredible destinations like London, Paris, and Rome. When putting together my 2023 travel bucket list, I hope that I can inspire you to visit a country that you may not have previously thought of. To let the cheapest flight ticket take you to a destination that you didn’t consider previously. To be spontaneous, curious, and excited about the big, beautiful world we live on.
So without further ado, here are 23 trips I urge you to take in 2023. How many trips will you be able to cross off?
23 Trips to Take in 2023 – The Ultimate Travel Bucket List
Tinos, Greece
1. Travel the Middle East
Manama, Bahrain
I say 2023 is about getting out of your comfort zone, and what better way than to travel through the Middle East? I spent four months living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and it was a rollercoaster so say the least! The best part about it was exploring Saudi Arabia and surrounding Gulf nations – like Bahrain. So whether or not you head to the Middle East, I urge you to go somewhere that doesn’t feel *quite* as comfortable.
Middle East travel ideas:
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Saudi Arabia
Visiting the Asir Province in Saudi Arabia
The Ultimate Bahrain Travel Guide
32 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Jordan
2. Take a Solo Trip
Tbilisi, Georgia
There is nothing that excites me more than boarding a plane and touching down in a country (or state) that I’ve never been before – solo. Solo travel has changed me in ways I can’t begin to describe and this year, I vow to show myself some TLC by continuing my quest to visit new countries all by myself. When you travel alone you have the freedom to do whatever it is that you please. You can stay out all night… or go to bed early. You choose what accommodation you want to stay in, how much money you want to spend, and where you want to eat at. It’s the perfect kind of trip to show yourself some much needed love. So this year, get out of your comfort zone, stop waiting for your friends, and just book the damn trip.
Get inspired! Read more about traveling solo:
The Ultimate Solo Travel Bucket List
The Best Countries in Europe for Solo Female Travelers
10 of the Best Cities in Europe for Solo Travelers
3. Take a Friend Trip
Sonoma, California
2023 is the year of spontaneity and pushing outside your comfort zone! So call up your girlfriends and book a spontaneous girls getaway that you’ve been talking about forever! Whether it’s a weekend in California’s wine country or a cheeky getaway to Nashville, it’s time to start prioritizing your friendships.
4. Book a Mother/Daughter Trip
Tinos, Greece
Another great travel experience is visiting a new place (or an old favorite) with your mom. Mother daughter trips can be so refreshing. You talk about new and exciting things, you’re away from the stressors that other family members can sometimes place on you, and you get to spend real 1:1 quality time bonding. I swear, you can learn so much about your mom on a mother-daughter trip! This year I highly encourage you to book a trip with your mom – or dad for that matter!
5. Plan An Epic Road Trip
Western Nebraska
My favorite thing about a road trip is that your final destination isn’t even the best part of the trip. The journey that gets you there is! When you take a road trip you have the ability to change your travel plans last minute if you like (or dislike) where you’re at. You can stop at the side of the road at a moments notice because you want to take a photo or you see a store that caught your eye. Plus your travel plans are completely flexible and you only have to rely on yourself – not an airline, boat, or train. An epic road trip is a win-win situation!
When taking a road trip, one of the main stressors is renting a car. I generally rent from Enterprise due to their customer service, car availability, and competitive pricing. I also like to utilize QEEQ to filter through choices and compare costs.
Read about my favorite road trips in the US and Europe:
The Best 8 Day Northern Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
A 2-Day Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
A 2-Day Road Trip to Western Nebraska
The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
Solo Girls Guide to a Romania Road Trip
The Best 4 Day Montenegro Road Trip
6. Visit a *New* Country
Seville, Spain
Make 2023 the year that you throw caution to the wind and visit another country! This year I really urge you to pack your bags, get on a plane, and show up in a new country that you’ve been craving to visit.
These are the countries I suggest in 2023:
7. Plan a European Christmas Markets Trip
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- Riquewihr, France
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- Colmar, France
There is absolutely nothing like Christmas in Europe. From the outdoor Christmas markets, to the beautiful light displays, and the charming knick-knacks unique in each country… it’s truly magical. I urge you to start planning early if you want to see the magic of the markets.
My favorite destinations in Europe for Christmas:
8. Travel for Wine
Napa Valley, California
Wine is one of my love languages and I’ve been on a mission to explore and discover all things wine since I turned 21 (and not a second before ;)). I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the most incredible wine regions around the world and even learn about the birthplace of wine in Georgia! In 2022 I urge you to travel for wine, learn something new about the wine making process, and have fun while you’re doing it!
Read about my favorite wine destinations around the world:
Wine Destinations Throughout the USA
Wine Destinations Throughout Europe
9. Travel to Just to Be Spontaneous
Palm Springs, California
The theme of 2023 – spontaneity! Book a trip somewhere just to have fun! Be it Nashville, Las Vegas, or a warm getaway to Palm Springs the only thing you really need to pack is some Advil and the right attitude.
But really, there is nothing like a weekend away where you might drink one too many cocktails or dance on tables. In my opinion, one weekend like this per year is good for the soul.
If you’re looking to take a spontaneous trip, I highly recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights. This way, you’ll get tons of flight deals straight to your inbox which may influence you to book a flight to a country you’ve never thought of before! Scott’s Cheap Flights has a free version, premium, and elite versions which all offer different levels of flight notifications. I used the free version for months before signing up for the premium version which has saved me hundreds of dollars in flights and made the annual fee more than worth it.
10. Go Somewhere to Learn About History
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- Auschwitz
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- Auschwitz
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- Auschwitz
Whenever I travel one of my favorite things to do is learn about the destination I’m visiting. I have a specific interest in learning about WWII so anytime I’m in Europe I’m always researching WWII tours, sites, and monuments. Figure out what you’re interested in and plan a trip around your interests Whether it’s the history of bourbon or the Vietnam War, book a trip specifically based on historical purposes.
11. Island Hop
Corfu, Greece
Is there anything more dreamy, romantic, or relaxing than island hopping? Explore the blue waters of the Caribbean, visit untouched and under the radar islands throughout Southeast Asia, or see what makes Greece such a popular destination as you head from one island to the next. Make this year the year that you start romanticizing your own life and get out and see some of the most incredible islands around the world!
My favorite islands around the world:
12. Visit Eastern Europe
Sinaia, Romania
I’ve said it time and time again but Europe is truly my love language. And what’s even better than visiting Europe? Visiting Eastern Europe. The reason I love Eastern Europe so much is because it’s incredibly affordable and SO underrated. Plus the people you meet (both local and tourists) are so much fun. You’re bound to come across different expats and solo travelers who are living abroad, happy to meet friends, and just living life with one goal – to see the world. So this year, make it the year that you step away from the popular European destinations like Italy, France, and Spain; and instead head to Eastern Europe to get off the beaten path and experience a different side of European culture, history, and way of life.
Plan a trip to one of my suggested Eastern European destinations:
13. Take an “8 Day Vacay”
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- Kuldiga, Latvia
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- Kuldiga, Latvia
This year I urge you to take at least one “8 day vacay”! The best thing about taking this type of trip is that you don’t have to take any PTO. I’ve designed the “8 day vacay” to best suit nurses who are looking to step away from the bedside, and travel to prevent nurse burnout. The way it works is by working the first three shifts of week one, and the last three shifts of week two giving you eight days off in-between.
Read more about the “8 Day Vacay” and my favorite 8 day itineraries!
14. Take An Extended Trip
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- Berat, Albania
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- Berat, Albania
This one might be a bit harder for most people, but if the past few years have taught us anything it’s that life is short and the hospital doesn’t really care about you as a person – only as a nurse. For that reason, I say take the chance and book an extended trip away! Whether it’s a month or five months – 2023 is all about getting outside of your comfort zone! Cut yourself off from that toxic relationship, quit that job you’ve hated for years, and get out and see the world!
Read more about preparing for extended vacations:
How to Pack for Long Term Travel
How to Save Money for Travel (and Stay Sane)
My 10-Week Packing List for Europe in the Winter
How I Save Money to Travel and Build a Hefty “Travel Savings” Each Year
15. Re-Visit An Old Favorite
Paris, France
While traveling to new areas can be new and exciting, re-visiting a place that gave you all the feels the first time around can be just as exciting. When you re-visit a destination you can go at it with ease knowing that some things will be familiar, you’ll know how to get around, and you can explore a different neighborhood you never got a chance to see or visit a new restaurant that you weren’t able to try before.
16. Book a Spontaneous Weekend Getaway
Newport, Rhode Island
There’s nothing I love more than hopping in the car and showing up in a new city or state a few hours later. And even better when it’s completely spontaneous!
17. Take a Sibling Trip
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Show your family love this year by planning a sibling trip! Do you all like the outdoors? Pick a weekend everyone is free and head to the mountains. Do you like to drink beer together? Head to a city that is known for their breweries like Seattle, Washington or Portland, Maine. Wherever your common interest lies, plan a trip and see who wants to join!
18. Travel for Food
Traditional Georgian food in Kutaisi, Georgia
(Aside from traveling for wine), traveling for food is one of my favorite things to do! (One time I even booked a flight to Naples, Italy because I was craving pizza). A country can really shine and stand out based on the food that you eat. And some of my all time favorite travel memories revolve around food! So let this be the year that you follow your cravings… wherever in the world they may lead you.
Georgia is one of my favorite foodie countries in the world. Read this post to see why!
19. Become a Travel Nurse
Seattle, Washington
One of the easiest ways to travel and see the world is to become a travel nurse. Not only are travel nurses in a unique position to experience different pockets of the United States by having the ability to move every 13-weeks, but travel nurses also have the ability to take unlimited PTO to travel and see the world! Win-win.
If 2022 is the year that you decide to take control of your life and make the leap from staff nurse to travel nurse, I highly encourage you to purchase The Ultimate Travel Nurse Bundle to guide you every step of the way!
20. Travel Within the United States
Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota
The one positive thing that came out of 2020 was that I realized the United States is pretty incredible. Since then, I’ve begun exploring what was right outside my door (or rather across state lines). I found that there is beauty everywhere you look, each state is uniquely different, and a huge adventure is sometimes only a state away.
Read about some of my favorite US destinations:
21. Explore the Outdoors
Anacortes, Washington
There’s nothing quite like getting out in nature to refresh and recharge. This year I encourage you to book an outdoor trip whether it’s a simple day hike or even an extended camping trip. See a National Park you haven’t seen yet, explore those hidden hot springs, ski down a mountain, or even head out for a bike ride. The great outdoors… is your oyster!
Read about my favorite outdoor adventures:
Deception Pass State Park + Hiking Oyster Dome (Washington)
Driving the Hai Van Pass on Motorbike (Vietnam)
Hiking Valbona to Theth (Albania)
Lena Lake, Hama Hama Oyster, and Bainbridge Island (Washington)
The Most Popular Lakes in Banff – Louise, Moraine, Peyto (Canada)
22. Stay at a Luxury Hotel
Nobu Hotel in Cabo, Mexico
I rarely splurge on a luxury hotel, but when I do I feel so refreshed afterwards! When you stay at a luxury hotel, it feels like you’re on a true vacation. Your bags are delivered to your room for you, there is always someone around to answer questions, get you a taxi, or help you with dinner reservations. And if you don’t feel like going out – room service is almost always worth it.
Read about my favorite luxury hotel experience: Staying at the Nobu Hotel in Cabo
23. Visit Small, Charming Towns in Europe
Riquewihr, France
If you haven’t yet been able to tell, I’m a sucker for Europe. Anything and everything about it! Small towns, history, Christmas markets, cheap travel between countries – it’s truly the best continent in the world. And one of my very favorite parts about Europe is the quaint little towns that truly make each country unique. So next time you head to Paris, London, or Rome – discover the beautiful small towns nearby.
Read about my favorite small towns in Europe: The Best Small Towns in Europe You Can’t Miss!
How many of these bucket list trips will you be crossing off in 2023?
I always purchase travel insurance while traveling to ensure that my trip is covered in case anything were to go wrong. Purchase yours on World Nomads!
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Kylee is a Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) nurse passionate about making travel affordable and accessible to nurses. Inspiring nurses to travel both near and far, Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering in Skopje, North Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling. Kylee is the original creator of the “8 Day Vacay” – a vacation geared towards nurses who aim to take advantage of the potentially 8 days off between work weeks with no need to use PTO.
