10 Vacation Ideas For 2024 In The USA & Abroad

Itching to travel in 2023 but don’t no where to go or where to start looking? Well, you’re in for a treat! From the green mountainous coasts of Ireland and Iceland, to the desert of Utah and Arizona, this comprehensive guide lists all of the best vacation ideas in 2023.

1. Bushmills, Northern Ireland

While major cities in Ireland like Dublin, Belfast and Galway get the majority of tourist attention, you really need to leave the cities in order to truly experience Ireland. This is one of my biggest tips for travel to Ireland.

In fact, you will not find the Ireland you daydream about — with rolling green hills covered in morning mist, sheep and stark stone bluffs — in these cities.

In order to experience the Irish countryside in all its glory, stay in the town of Bushmills. Near Bushmills, you can find unimaginable views at the legendary Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and more unique places to visit in Ireland.

Free resources for your Ireland vacation:
Travel Tips For Ireland That Will Make Or Break Your Trip
Most Unique Places To Visit In Ireland

2. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA

The only viable place to vacation in 2023 after three years of sad lockdowns is the happiest place on Earth: Walt Disney World.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, it is a collection of amusement parks all thematically revolving Mr. Mickey Mouse.

• Magic Kingdom is the most well-known park, home to the famous Disney castle, Space Mountain rollercoaster, and lots of princes and princess.
• In Animal Kingdom, one of the sister parks, Mickey and the Disney gang transport you to the jungle. Animal Kingdom is also the home to many safari animals, the tree of life, the yeti-themed rollercoaster Expedition Everest, Avatar’s Pandora replica and more.
• Next, there is Epcot. As you walk through Epcot, you will walk through numerous replica countries/cities (such as Paris, Mexico, the U.K., China and Japan) where you get to experience culture, cultural food and more rides.
• Lastly, Hollywood Studios offers, as the name suggests, a walk-through replica of a Hollywood cinema studio. Two highlighting rides of Hollywood Studios are the notorious Tower Of Terror and Rockin’ Rollercoaster, as well as the newest Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land areas.

3. French Polynesia

If there was one thing humanity learned from 2020 to 2022, it’s that experiences matter. I firmly believe that people are beginning to understand and financially prioritize the importance of experience.

What a better way to experience travel than by submerging in a dream tropical vacation to French Polynesia this year?

Tahiti

French Polynesia is a strand of several islands, including Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and more.

Tahiti is a more budget-friendly island option, and it still certainly delivers everything you would ever need in a Polynesian vacation. Crystal blue waters are visible between the islands of Tahiti and Moorea; meanwhile, dophins, black-tip reef sharks and stingray are all swimming along the reef.

If you visit Tahiti, I highly recommend staying at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. Relaxing by this property’s protected lagoonarium, as well as pool-hopping from infinity pool to infinity pool, really felt like a true vacation. You can find my full resort review here.

Free resources for your Tahiti vacation:
The Ultimate Tahiti Packing List
Why InterContinental Is One Of the Best Tahiti Hotels On Water
Bora Bora Vs Tahiti: Which Is Better?

Bora Bora

If you’re ready to splurge on the vacation of a lifetime, Bora Bora is the one of the best vacation ideas for you.

Bora Bora is about as luxurious as the movies and magazines depict: ocean water clearer than a pool, private overwater bungalows, French desserts and tropical fruit smoothies on demand. You will never regret visiting Bora Bora.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly Bora Bora vacation idea, check out my free guide on how to visit Bora Bora on a budget as well as my guide to finding cheap overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.

Free resources for your Bora Bora vacation:
How To Do Bora Bora On A Budget
How To Score Cheap Overwater Bungalows In Bora Bora
What To Pack For Your Bora Bora Honeymoon
Is Bora Bora Worth It? A Place Better Than Bora Bora

4. Arizona, USA

The state of Arizona, specifically Horseshoe Bend, located in Page, Arizona, has also taken modern social media by storm. However, this comes as no surprise. After all, Horseshoe Bend is totally photogenic, accessible, epic and like you’ve never seen before.

If you plan to visit Horseshoe Bend this year, I would also look into other popular attractions in the city of Page, Arizona, like the mesmerizing Antelope Canyons, teal blue Lake Powell or giant Glen Canyon Dam.

5. Iceland

I was taught in elementary school that Greenland’s discoverer deceitfully named the country “Greenland” because he wanted people to follow him there. Little did they know, Greenland was covered in ice.

Whereas, Iceland is covered in green.

Nonetheless, Iceland is covered in magnificent greenery, tall rushing waterfalls, volcanos and black volcanic rock formations.

Do I need to say anything more to convince you to travel there there?

6. Maui, Hawaii (Vacation Ideas 2023)

So, maybe you aren’t quite ready to travel internationally yet. That is totally understandable.

Maui, Hawaii, will have you feeling as though you’re in a tropical climate abroad, without the hassle of passports or international travel.

If you choose to go to Maui, you have to tour the Road to Hana, for sure. Whale watching, surfing, snorkeling, visiting the volcano of Haleakala above the clouds and relaxing under a palm tree on Makena beach are all other Maui activities you must plan.

(Side note, be sure to always follow the tourism and sustainability recommendations from the local Maui officials, and only visit when it is safe and ethical to do so.)

Free resources for your Maui vacation:
27 Maui Instagram Spots For Iconic Photos
What To Pack For Maui During The Winter Months
How To Pick A Foolproof Road To Hana Outfit
Where To Take Photos On The Road To Hana (With Map)
What Is The Prettiest Beach In Maui?
13 Best Beaches In Maui To Swim
Bora Bora Vs Hawaii: Complete Guide To Your Dream Trip

7. Positano, Italy, On The Amalfi Coast (Vacation Ideas 2023)

When you picture the coast of Italy, what do you picture?

Colorful pastel buildings stacked upon the seaside mountain? Colorful trees blossoming? Delectable fresh seafood that was caught that same day? A quaint Instagram-worthy European town?

Positano is the most well-known town on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. No wonder, too; the breathtaking views certainly make it one of the best vacation ideas. The pictures below speak for themselves.

Free resources for your Italy vacation:
10 Top Things To Do And See In Positano, Italy
17 Positano Outfits: What To Wear In Positano, Italy
Positano Beach: What To Know About Spiaggia Grande
30 Amalfi Coast Instagram Spots For Iconic Photos
The Ultimate Positano Honeymoon Itinerary
Where To Stay In Positano, Italy, On A Budget
Positano Itinerary: How To Spend 5 Days In Positano, Italy

8. Utah, USA

If you aren’t keen on flying (or even if you are), take a road trip through the U.S. state of Utah. You will not regret it.

I had no idea how otherworldly Utah truly is until I had the privilege of visiting last year. Here are some of my favorite Utah road trip spots that you can’t miss

Bonneville Salt Flats, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Bonneville Salt Flats, located outside of Salt Lake City, will completely blow your mind.

These vast salt flats reside on federal land that’s free to visit (and drive on, and camp on) year-round. Although you will see salt residue on the ground everywhere around Salt Lake City, the Bonneville Salt Flats boast next-level views of the salted desert floor against the stark contrasting mountains of Nevada.

The flats are a totally underrated must-see Utah road trip spot. (Plus, because they are underrated, there are no crowds!)

Pink Lake, Utah (Vacation Ideas 2023)

Yes, you read that right — a pink lake.

You can find everything you need to know about Pink Lake, including directions, the address and more, here.

Utah’s Big 5 National Parks

Utah’s Big 5 includes Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Each park boasts its own unique, otherworldly and epic desert elements.

Plus, there are dozens of free parks and national monuments in Utah, too.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley, a protected indigenous territory that houses the famous road featured in Forest Gump, sits on the southernmost border of Utah and Arizona.

It is best to visit Monument Valley before sunrise to see the monuments light up red with the sun — and to beat the crowds.

Free resources for your Utah vacation:
Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 7-Day Ultimate Tour Of Utah (With Map)
10 Day Trips From Salt Lake City That Are Out Of This World
7 Insanely Easy Hikes In Arches National Park
How To See The Rainbow Mountains In Utah
8 Underrated Free Things To Do In Moab, Utah
18 Moab Instagram Spots For Epic Photos
12 Things To Do In Zion National Park Besides Hiking

9. Venice, Italy

I’m not sure how many times I’ve heard, “Venice is sinking!” during my lifetime, but I still hear this panicked phrase on the regular.

Thus, Venice finds a spot, once again, this ultimate list of best vacation ideas this year.

Although I have never personally been to Venice, I can say with complete honesty that visiting Venice, and all of its romantic canals and gondolas, has ranked No. 1 on my bucket list since I was a little girl.

See what else is on my bucket list by downloading my free Budget Travel Bucket List. There are 30+ countries listed and will help you chose the best countries to travel to on a budget.

10. Wyoming, USA (Vacation Ideas 2023)

Like Utah, the state of Wyoming is home to a surprising array of jaw-dropping U.S. national parks.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is easily the most underrated national park in the United States.

First of all, the shape of the Grand Teton mountain range compares to no other: so sharp, crooked and unique that you almost feel a sense of empathy for the literal mountains. It may sound strange, but there is no other way to describe it.

Furthermore, there are a couple of particularly remarkable spots inside of Grand Teton National Park that are worth noting: Mormon Row and Delta Lake.

Mormon Row, accessible by car, boasts a series of abandoned, fairly well preserved barns. The unique shapes of the barns mirror those of the backgrounding mountains, making for a perfect Grand Teton photo opportunity.

Delta Lake, on the other hand, is arguable the most beautiful glacier lake in the United States, the Lake Louise of the U.S., if you will. However, unlike Mormon Row, Delta Lake does solicit day-long hike up a steep bear and boulder-scramble infested mountain. If you’re up for the adventure, though, the hike is totally worth it.

Free resources for your Wyoming vacation:
How To Conquer The Delta Lake Grand Teton Hike
One Day In Grand Teton National Park (Epic Day Trip)

Yellowstone National Park

Last on this year’s travel trends list, but certainly not least, is Yellowstone National Park.

Like Utah, Yellowstone National park seemingly transports you to an alternate universe. Here, both pastel-shaded and bright red, yellow, orange, green and teal blue geyser water stun the parks visitors every day.

Similarly, thermal activity from Yellowstone’s underground super-volcano causes the colorful land to crystalize in multiple locations around the park (Mammoth Springs being the most prominent). Not to mention, this national park is also home to the famous geyser, Old Faithful.

I was truly astonished at the wonders of Yellowstone, how it makes you believe you’re back in time walking with dinosaurs. I could not leave it out of the options for your upcoming vacation ideas.

Have any vacation ideas you would add to this list? I’d love to hear them in the reply section below!

More Vacation Ideas:

London For First-Timers: Best Things To Do, Eat And Know
The Ultimate England Packing List For Any Season
Banff, Canada, Instagram Captions You Need To Steal

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