#TravelGoals: 5 Places You Need To Be In 2023

If you’re looking to step out of your travel comfort zone in 2023, then you should absolutely add one (or all) of these destinations to your travel plans. We’ve included locations around the globe where tourists haven’t completely taken over, but you can still enjoy a more than comfortable and pretty affordable-travel to and around these locations.

1. Valparaiso, Chile

This South American country is one of the largest on the continent and for this reason, has a lot to offer. While most people know all about the capital city, Santiago, which is full of history, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. A lesser-known Chilean treasure under 2 hours away, is Valparaiso.

The name “Valparaiso” means paradise valley, and its name does not disappoint. Valparaiso is a coastal town on the Pacific coast of Chile, and its winding streets are full of art, music, graffiti, picturesque views and a colorful hillside that makes views of the city from any viewpoint one of a kind.

As more tourists learn about this coastal town, more and more unique lodging options are popping up. You may not find your favorite hotel chain but you’ll be able to find artsy hotels complete with restaurants, spas, and views for days.

When you’re not staring at the gorgeous views of the ocean, you can enjoy a number of free walking tours offered in English and Spanish and climb high into the hills of this magical city. You’ll find plenty of bars with that famous Chilean wine as well as countless seafood restaurants with fresh finds straight from the Pacific.

2. Montreal, Canada

If you want to get a taste of Paris without flying across an ocean, you can take a quick trip to Montreal instead. Montreal is a popular city among tourists but it is still very much in tact with its French roots and flair.

There really is no bad time of the year to pay a visit to Montreal. The city actually hosts nearly 100 festivals each year. While the festivals run across all four seasons, summer is the best time to catch some of the largest festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Le Mondial de la Biere (or “beer” festival), the International Fireworks Festival, and the Festival International Nuit d’Afrique, celebrating the music and culture of over 35 African nations. But if you want a truly unique experience, you can visit in January for Montreal’s 3-week winter festival where you can party all night in the snow.

Outside of all its festivals, Montreal is also known for its rich history, its mix of cultures, and consequently, its eclectic food scene. Of course, the city has plenty of French cuisine to enjoy, but it’s also known for the poutine—a Canadian specialty of gravy and cheese-covered fries— pancake burgers from Dic Ann’s, Haitian griot— a marinated, spicy-sour pork shoulder, and of course all the traditional french cuisine and pastries you could imagine.