Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is the nicest vacation spot we have. It's not hard to understand why Queen Elizabeth II cherished spending time at this popular Royal Family vacation destination in northeast Scotland. Aberdeenshire is a haven for environment enthusiasts, with a gorgeous coastline teeming with wildlife, stunning mountains, and dramatic rivers that equal those in Canada.

Following the departure of Her Majesty, Balmoral will undergo some changes in 2023, including the addition of an exhibition honoring the late queen and a new audio tour that will alter the focus from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. The audio tour will include details about the late Queen's time spent at her cherished Scottish vacation house.

Your best option for getting around Aberdeenshire is to rent a car. For its regal history, the village of Ballater is a must-see, as are the Falls of Feugh, where salmon jump into the air, Newburgh Beach, where you may observe cute seals, and Loch Muick, where you can take a gorgeous walk. Visitors of all ages will be enthralled by the interesting Peterhead Prison Museum, which was formerly Scotland's "toughest jail," and will learn about what life is actually like behind bars.

Check into Glen Dye for stunning glamping, cottages, and slow living in Banchory for a great location to stay. Alternatively, with its cozy ambience and roll-top bathtubs for warming and relaxing, the Balmoral Arms in Ballater is the ideal spot for walkers to unwind.

Aruba

In 2023, there will be a new region of the Caribbean to explore owing to British Airways' nonstop flights to Aruba. With only connecting flights available up until now, it has been more difficult for tourists from the UK to reach the Dutch Caribbean island, but the first-ever direct connection from London Gatwick will finally allow them to visit lovely Aruba. Aruba is the island paradise to choose in 2023 thanks to its alluring white sand beaches (try Baby, Eagle, and Arashi), some of which have been awarded the greatest in the world, and the availability of resorts featuring luxury, boutique, and family-friendly alternatives.

The island, which offers a different Caribbean experience and is situated 15 miles north of the South American coastline, enjoys year-round sunlight with an average temperature of 32 degrees and a refreshing breeze, making it the ideal place for a winter sun getaway. There are a variety of cultural activities held throughout the year, as well as a turquoise sea, colonial Dutch buildings, and a Latin ambiance. A variety of watersports are available for the energetic, and the nightlife is quite lively.

Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps win our pick for nearby outdoor experiences and snow-covered mountains, and it appears that you agree, as the Glacier Express excursion was the most popular tour in the Good Housekeeping Holidays collection. The Swiss Alps are a great vacation area year-round for hikers who enjoy wildflowers in the summer, skiers and snowshoers who seek out high peaks in the winter, and eco-tourists looking for a no-fly hotspot they can easily access by train.

2023 is the year to take one of the best train rides in the world and finally enjoy the views from the bright red Glacier Express, also known as the world's slowest express train, thanks to the steadily increasing demand for rail vacations. The completion of the Matterhorn crossing from Zermatt to Cervinia in Italy and the first summer season of the new GoldenPass Express panoramic train route from Montreux to Interlaken, which began service in December 2022, will all occur in 2023. These developments will make it possible to travel across the Alps without using skis or getting your feet wet.

Dolomites

Italy Vacation to mighty Dolomites location on our list. Some of the most breathtaking vistas in all of Europe can be found in this magnificent mountain range, which seems like it belongs in a Disney movie.

Why the Dolomites in 2023, though? 'Mindful moving' is one of the wellness travel buzzwords for the year, and because research has shown that exercising while paying attention to the sounds and smells around you can improve your mental health, we couldn't think of a better place to practise the trend. If your goals for 2023 include improving your mood, reducing stress, and reducing anxiety.

The family-run hotel invites guests to walk thoughtfully to the goal with guided trekking, making it a great base in both the winter and the summer.

You can eat with confidence since this is Italy, after all. Everyone deserves to experience the magnificence of the Dolomites at least once, whether they go there to ski and snowshoe in the winter or hike and climb in the summer (personally, we'd choose the latter).

Malta

One of the most diverse places to go in 2023 is Malta, a star of the Mediterranean that is a treat in any season. There are several reasons to visit Malta in 2023, including its status as a pioneer in LGBTQIA+ tourism, the affordability for budget-conscious tourists, and its world-class cuisine for discriminating eaters.

Malta is a great island to soak up the sun, explore historic streets, and eat at Michelin-starred restaurants because it has something to offer any traveller, whether they are travelling alone, with friends, as a couple, or with the whole family.  The area is a wonderful destination to spend a few days escaping the cold due to the moderate winter.

Additionally, Valletta, the capital of Malta, has been selected to host EuroPride 2023, which runs from September 7 to 17. With Malta ranking first on the Rainbow Europe Index for the seventh year in a row and receiving a score of 92% for its legal and policy policies for LGBTQIA+ individuals, EuroPride, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ events on the continent, has a suitable host for 2023.