Where to travel in 2023: The best destinations to visit

CNN Travel staff
Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Wed May 17, 2023
<strong>Western Australia: </strong>On April 20, 2023, a total solar eclipse was visible over the northwestern edge of Australia. Thousands of people descended on the town of Exmouth and the greater Ningaloo Peninsula for the rare event, which lasted about a minute.
Western Australia: On April 20, 2023, a total solar eclipse was visible over the northwestern edge of Australia. Thousands of people descended on the town of Exmouth and the greater Ningaloo Peninsula for the rare event, which lasted about a minute.
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<strong>Poland: </strong>The country's show of solidarity with neighboring Ukraine is one reason to visit. Historic Krakow, pictured, Warsaw and the forests, lakes and mountains of the countryside are more good reasons to explore Poland.
Poland: The country's show of solidarity with neighboring Ukraine is one reason to visit. Historic Krakow, pictured, Warsaw and the forests, lakes and mountains of the countryside are more good reasons to explore Poland.
Sergii Figurnyi/Adobe Stock
<strong>Liverpool, England:</strong> England's port city of Liverpool, best known around the world as the birthplace of The Beatles, is adding another chapter to its musical legacy. In May, it will be the host city of the Eurovision 2023 contest.
Liverpool, England: England's port city of Liverpool, best known around the world as the birthplace of The Beatles, is adding another chapter to its musical legacy. In May, it will be the host city of the Eurovision 2023 contest.
alpegor/Adobe Stock
<strong>Charleston, South Carolina: </strong>Charleston has often glossed over the history of its Black residents. It's been taking steps to fix that. The International African American Museum is expected to open later in 2023.
Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston has often glossed over the history of its Black residents. It's been taking steps to fix that. The International African American Museum is expected to open later in 2023.
Sean Pavone/Adobe Stock
<strong>Vilnius, Lithuania: </strong>The capital of Lithuania celebrated its 700th anniversary on January 25, 2023. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vilnius, Lithuania: The capital of Lithuania celebrated its 700th anniversary on January 25, 2023. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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<strong>Fiji: </strong>Brilliant blue waters, expansive coral reefs, and hundreds of peaceful islands: Fiji is not a hard sell. And the tourist crowds have not yet fully returned to the South Pacific paradise.
Fiji: Brilliant blue waters, expansive coral reefs, and hundreds of peaceful islands: Fiji is not a hard sell. And the tourist crowds have not yet fully returned to the South Pacific paradise.
Martin Valigursky/Adobe Stock
<strong>Manaus, Brazil: </strong>The opera house in Manaus, Teatro Amazonas, dates to 1896. Pair a visit to the city with an eco-lodge escape in the Amazon rainforest.
Manaus, Brazil: The opera house in Manaus, Teatro Amazonas, dates to 1896. Pair a visit to the city with an eco-lodge escape in the Amazon rainforest.
Dukas Presseagentur/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Thessaloniki, Greece: </strong>The White Tower is a landmark in Thessaloniki, where a vibrant food scene and plans for a gleaming new metro are raising the city's profile.
Thessaloniki, Greece: The White Tower is a landmark in Thessaloniki, where a vibrant food scene and plans for a gleaming new metro are raising the city's profile.
Panos Karapanagiotis/iStockphoto/Getty Images
<strong>Rwanda: </strong>The African country welcomed a swanky new resort hotel in 2023, with the opening of the <a href="https://www.sextantiorwanda.com/en/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sextantio Rwanda</a> on an island in the huge expanse of Lake Kuvu. Wildlife is also a draw, with the Volcanoes and Akagera national parks offering the chance to encounter gorillas and endangered white rhinos. <br />
Rwanda: The African country welcomed a swanky new resort hotel in 2023, with the opening of the Sextantio Rwanda on an island in the huge expanse of Lake Kuvu. Wildlife is also a draw, with the Volcanoes and Akagera national parks offering the chance to encounter gorillas and endangered white rhinos.
Michael Cook/Altai World Photo/Moment RF/Getty Images