Where to travel in the Northern Hemisphere in 2023

Dolomites, Italy

For an on-trend combination of wine and wellness (aided by 2019’s much-trumpeted opening of the Lefay Resort), Italy’s hikeable alpine interface with Austria is poised to become something truly special. With the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a flurry of new ‘wine safaris’  in the offing, this is the rugged, picturesque counterpoint to more traditional Lake Garda.

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Westman Islands, Iceland

Since its startling recovery from the 2008 financial crash, this Viking-founded island of lava and ice has experienced a glittering renaissance. But with the Golden Circle seeming like old hat, our luxury travel experts can’t stop talking about Vestmannaeyjar, or the Westman Islands. This highly remote area features puffins, whales, and belugas, alongside tours of wild and dramatic coastlines, remote hunting lodges, and an intensely innovative gourmet offering with adventurous outlets such as Slippurinn.

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Cairo, Egypt

The largest city in the Middle East, Cairo and its western pyramids are the core of ancient Egyptian history. You’ll get to know the city’s culture alongside a local guide with a private viewing of Karnak Temple and an exclusive after-hours tour of the Egyptian Museum. We’ll also arrange for you to meet with a world-renowned archaeologist at the iconic Sphinx, before leading you to the paws for access few have experienced before. 

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Hydra, Greece

Each year, the island of Hydra—largely unknown to tourist crowds—is transformed into a living installation when the art world descends to its craggy, bucolic shores for a summer of creativity and delight. Figures including Dakis Joannoi and Dimitrios Antonitsis transform everyday buildings on the island, from a school to a slaughterhouse, into cutting-edge exhibition spaces. While everyone else flops off to Santorini, this is our take on where to get a fill of culture and authentic (albeit slightly ‘surreal’) island life.

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Sheldon Chalet, Alaska

Inspired by Jack London’s adventure novel ‘The Call of the Wild’, our Take me on a Story experience in Alaska will see you and your family perfect your survival skills in this epic, uncharted wilderness. Learn to forage in the forest, rappel down glaciers, prospect for gold in historic mines, and learn to dog mush over snow, whilst bedding down in Denali National Park at the entirely private and exclusive ‘buy out’ bauble of Sheldon Chalet. It’s just you, miles of undisturbed white, and the occasional dog-sled team.

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Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica

Lying just off the northwestern coast of Costa Rica and part of a major tourism project, this nine-night conservation adventure around the Gulf of Papagayo is at the top of our list this year. And our Travel Experts have scouted out two properties that have conservation at the core of their mission. Spend some time in the lap of luxury at Four Seasons Papagayo where an expansive spa will greet you, ahead of a five-course dinner in the herb garden with organic and biodynamic wines. At the solar-powered Kasiiya Lodge, spot migrating whales from the comfort of a copper bathtub and meet with the in-house biologist to learn more about the lodge’s conservation initiatives.

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If the Golden Circle and wilds of Alaska don’t tempt you, there are plenty of other wonderful places we can show you. Take a plunge south of the equator and discover our favourite Southern Hemisphere destinations.