Sri Lanka named in must visit 20 places in 2023

Sri Lanka named among other places Turkey, Spain, Kenya, England coast path, The Dolomites, Guyana, South Africa, Argentina, London, Tangier, Morocco, Japan, Switzerland, France, Western Australia, Hungary, Las Vegas, Svalbard, Montenegro and Laos.

With most countries having now removed any lingering pandemic restrictions, there are pretty much no limits to where your travel plans for 2023 could take you. But with almost the entire globe open for business, choosing where to go might prove tricky.

Whatever you're after, be it a longhaul adventure somewhere totally new or a classic summer holiday that will tick all the boxes, we have you covered.

‘Go to those beaches; go to those temples; go to see elephants in the wild’

Whisper it softly, but 2023, surely, is the year that Sri Lanka will reclaim its place in the Premier League of holiday destinations. Heaven knows that, with its lush, palm-fringed vegetation, sweeping white sand beaches, exotic birdsong and colours, Buddhist and Hindu traditions – and the many traces of rule under the British, Dutch and Portuguese – this gorgeous Indian Ocean island deserves to be there. There are the people too: ever eager to engage, share and make you feel good no matter how challenging the situation. A favourable exchange rate means it is good value, too.

The past four years have been harsh for Sri Lankans. Instead of continuing to build on post-civil war peace, they have been subjected to terrorist bombings in 2019, Covid and last year’s political and economic turmoil. All have exacted a heavy toll, particularly on the tourist industry, as visitors have stayed away – but the country is moving on.

There are the people too: ever eager to engage, share and make you feel good no matter how challenging the situation. A favourable exchange rate means it is good value, too. Sri Lanka felt both safe and right.

I have just returned from a trip there and can truthfully say that, in addition to rekindling all the passion I have always had for the place, Sri Lanka felt both safe and right – sentiments echoed by other travellers I encountered.

Go to those beaches; go to those temples; go to see elephants in the wild. If you want fresh discoveries, take the recently upgraded train to Kandy and beyond for the Pekoe Trail – a string of newly curated walks through the spectacular hills of the tea country. Go – and be generous. Sri Lanka will repay you in more ways than you know.