Planning your next big travel experience for 2023? While there are plenty of places across the globe that we’d love to see, National Geographic’s annual roundup of the top travel destinations for the year to come — made up of “places filled with wonder, rewarding to travelers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems” — reminds us of the incredible people, sights and cultures we can learn from in this land, too.
Divided into five categories (Community, Nature, Culture, Family and Adventure) and reported on by the outlet’s global editors, National Geographic’s top 25 destinations for 2023 focus on spots around the world that are “under the radar, ahead of the curve and ready for you to start exploring.”
See also: The 20 best places to travel in November outside of Canada.
Which travel destination in Canada made the list?
Of these 25 destinations, one spot in Canada made the list: Alberta’s Indigenous tourism outfitters.
Filed as one of five destinations under the category “Community: Where conservation benefits everyone,” National Geographic highlights “Indigenous tourism outfitters” in Alberta as a way for travelers to “experience how long-held traditions and contemporary perspectives intersect.”
In a post celebrating National Geographic’s recognition of “tourism experiences powered by Indigenous Peoples in Alberta,” Indigenous Tourism Alberta showcases some examples of the “amazing experiences in Alberta that are powered by Indigenous entrepreneurs.” Here are some of their highlighted businesses:
- Found near Banff National Park, Painted Warriors “shares Ojibway, Cree and Mohawk heritage by reconnecting visitors to the land through wilderness education, Indigenous traditions and hands-on training.” Painted Warriors offers traditional experiences (such as hunting and archery) while challenging gender norms and stereotypes about Indigenous women.
- Alberta’s first interpretive Métis cultural centre, Métis Crossing, is an Indigenous women-led business, which can be found about an hour away from Edmonton.
- Matrica Bauer’s Jasper company, Warrior Women, “shares traditional knowledge of the land, culture and Cree stories” via experiences like plant walks and drum circles.
- Owned by Diana Frost and based in Calgary, Colouring it Forward shares the stories of Indigenous Peoples and history through art. Working with Indigenous artists and elders, Colouring it Forward creates books, cards and journals
- One of our picks for Canadian small businesses that are thriving on TikTok, Mallory Yawnghwe’s company, Indigenous Box, offers a seasonal subscription box filled with Indigenous-made items from this land.
- Melrene Savoy’s Native Diva Creations pairs modern style with traditional beadwork practices to create jewellry that’s been showcased to international acclaim (including at last year’s New York Fashion Week).
You may also like: 10 young Indigenous women leading the way for the next generation.
What are ‘National Geographic’s’ 25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023?
You can see the full list via National Geographic here, or check out the top spots by category below:
Community
- Women-led sustainable tours in Greece’s Dodecanese Islands.
- Celebrate culture (and breweries on the Great Lakes in Milwaukee, USA.
- Experience Indigenous-powered tourism in Alberta, Canada.
- Take the new high-speed train in Laos.
- Explore Black heritage and fashion in Ghana.
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Nature
- Take in the biodiversity of Botswana.
- Learn about the rewilding movement in the Scottish Highlands.
- Enjoy a gastro-tourism (AKA foodie) biking tour of Slovenia.
- Explore the landscape at Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA.
- Celebrate sustainability programs in the Azores.
Related: 10 must-visit wellness retreats in Canada.
Culture
- Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.
- Enjoy the film festival and sip on craft beers in Busan, South Korea.
- Take in the history of Europe’s ancient “superhighway” along the Appian Way in Italy.
- Learn about culture and history at the International African American Museum in Charleston, USA.
- Lay your eyes on the Longmen Grottoes’ stone statues in Hunan, China.
Related: The cheapest times to travel to these popular destinations.
Family
- Take the rails through Alpine towns in Switzerland.
- Help save the turtles in Trinidad and Tobago.
- Take in the views and enjoy campfires and hiking in San Francisco, USA.
- Bird-watch, Encanto style, in Colombia.
- Explore art — and football — in Manchester, UK.
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Adventure
- Journey to an isolated Inca site in Choquequirao, Peru.
- Get an adrenaline rush in New Zealand.
- Adventure your way through Utah, USA.
- Hike through the Bergsteigerdörfer network of mountaineering villages in Austria.
- See sea-life like sharks and manta rays at Revillagigedo National Park in Mexico.
So, if you’re hoping to indulge your wanderlust in 2023, it looks like there are plenty of incredible options — starting right here on this land.
