Gentoo penguins may be seen while sailing Antarctica's coastline. (Vadim_N/Shutterstock)
Believe it or not, this mostly undiscovered continent is getting busy. This year, a record 82 passenger ships will visit the coldest, darkest, windiest, highest, and driest place on earth. Most of those will travel the relatively short distance from the tip of South America across the famously tumultuous Drake Passage, then trace the snow-laden, mountainous beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. The natural wonders alone are worth the trip. The wildlife: from adorable gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins mating and molting, to massive, otherworldly elephant seals jousting on the beach. Even the ice is fascinating, with blue glaciers cracking and tabular icebergs as big as a football field floating by. Just make sure to come see it all, before things get too crowded.
Ilulissat, Greenland
A small red sailboat cruises among icebergs from Disko Bay glacier, Greenland. (Kertu/Shutterstock)
Greenland has long been terra incognita for most travelers, a frozen land of ice and snow that just a few had been fortunate enough to spot off the wing tip of their trans-Atlantic flight. But this territory, a protectorate of Denmark, is welcoming more and more visitors, most of whom arrive on expedition cruise ships. Sail through fjord systems lined with soaring, snow-capped mountains that stretch hundreds of miles. Visit tiny villages where the locals are still unjaded and more than happy to welcome you. If you’re lucky, you’ll be on a ship where you can chopper to the ice sheet, which covers four-fifths of Greenland’s surface—more than 660,000 square miles. And Ilulissat is a must-visit. Sitting more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, its name literally means “iceberg” in the local indigenous language. Here, an incredibly productive glacier runs 25 miles and calves 20 billion tons of bergs every year.
Elefsina, Greece
The Sanctuary of Pluto, located west of the Small Propylaia in Elefsina. (Andronos Haris/Shutterstock)
Set on the northwestern edge of Athens, this small city is close to many of Greece’s finest attractions: the Acropolis, just a few minutes away, the vineyards and olive groves of the Peloponnese peninsula to the south, plus ancient history in Sparta and Corinth. But this year, Elefsina (or Eleusis, to the Greeks) offers plenty of reasons to stay right in town. The history here is deep, more than 4,000 years of it. Home to rich ruins and an archaeological museum, it was one of five holy cities of antiquity. More recently, Elefsina has spent time and resources resurrecting its derelict industrial facilities into modern attractions—for example, it has hosted the annual Aeschylia theater festival, holding performances in a former factory.
As one of Europe’s capitals of culture for 2023, the city will be putting on a number of exciting events, from the strange to the sublime, including cultural and culinary attractions, concerts, and temporary art exhibits.
Yokohama, Japan
Sankeien Garden, a traditional Japanese-style garden in Yokohama, Japan. (Shutterstock)
Later than most countries, Japan just fully reopened to visitors in October 2022. No longer off-limits, tourists are again free to explore its many attractions, from well-known favorites such as the temples in Kyoto, to more under-the-radar destinations such as Yokohama. Best known as Tokyo’s port, it was one of the first places in the country to reopen to foreign trade in 1859 and quickly became one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities, home to its first daily newspaper, street lamps, and railway station. This coming year, the city will host some of Japan’s coolest festivals, including the Spring Festival, the largest event celebrating Chinese New Year in Japan. Come and experience everything this city has to offer, from the Red Brick Warehouse—a former industrial facility that’s now home to green spaces, waterfront shops, and restaurants—to the soaring Ferris wheel at Cosmo World, which was once the tallest on earth.
Changing Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker, a tropical island in the Caribbean known for its beaches. (Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock)
A tiny country in Central America, Belize is set to undergo some big changes, with a number of new luxury hotels opening in the coming months and years. It’s best to see this tropical coastline at its sleepiest—and for that, the best of the best is Caye Caulker. A small island along the Meso-American Reef (the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere), its official slogan is “go slow.” So come, chill on the water, and grab some grilled fish—right off the street—for lunch. Then, feed the rays that come in every day at sunset and settle in for a cocktail at one of the many beach bars. The Lazy Lizard, which sits right on The Split—a channel torn by Hurricane Hattie in 1961—is always a popular gathering place.
Australia’s Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Australia. (zstock/Shutterstock)
Once known for glitz and glamor, this corner of Queensland used to be frequented exclusively for its beaches, casinos, and rollicking bars. And, of course, the waves at Surfers Paradise. But lately, things here are changing, with people seeking—and finding—more refined attractions, especially in established communities on the southern edge of town, like Burleigh Heads. Help make your own surfboard at S-Lab, where they’ll even mail you the final product. Take a food and wine tour, or hop between craft breweries. Or just enjoy some spirits—and maybe a haircut—at Grandad Jack’s. Named for the founder’s barber grandfather, you can still get a $5 trim here while sipping some fine, handmade whiskey, rum, and vodka (but probably, not all at once).
Houston
Downtown Houston, illuminated at night. (Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)
America’s fourth-largest city was once known mainly for its heat, humidity, and Astroturf. But a number of new developments are transforming this huge metropolis. Long a place where people spent their time in air-conditioned malls and other sprawling, suburban spaces, in the last few years the city core has begun transforming—and is worth a visit. Start along the new Avenida Plaza, which encourages you to stroll through green space, shops, and some 20 restaurants. Stop for a pint at 8th Wonder Brewery in the formerly forlorn, industrial eastern reaches of downtown. Then, if you can, find your way to the speakeasy at the Four Seasons, a secret space that serves up some of the best tequila in town.
Johannesburg
Street dancers perform at an intersection in Johannesburg. (Rich T Photo/Shutterstock)
Joburg or “Jozie” to the locals, this city has seen some hard times. And few countries were locked down as firmly as South Africa. But now is a perfect time to visit the country’s biggest urban center. Take a tour of national hero Nelson Mandela’s former home in Soweto, where he lived as a young married man full of dreams, hope, and determination. Bishop Desmond Tutu lived right nearby, just down Vilakazi Street, making it the only street on earth that was home to two Nobel prize winners. Take a culinary walking tour with JoBurg 360, which swings through funky cafes and makers in trendy Maboneng and Jeppestown before finishing with a rooftop cocktail. Or just sit by the hotel pool—it’s now almost the heart of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and the sultry climate here is perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
Toronto-based writer Tim Johnson is always traveling in search of the next great story. Having visited 140 countries across all seven continents, he’s tracked lions on foot in Botswana, dug for dinosaur bones in Mongolia, and walked among a half-million penguins on South Georgia Island. He contributes to some of North America’s largest publications, including CNN Travel, Bloomberg, and The Globe and Mail.
