Top Trends for 2023: Fresh design hotels and upcoming luxury train routes

It was a tough week for U.S. holiday travelers. A fierce storm left many stranded far from home—here are some of their stories. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines suffered a massive meltdown, stranding or delaying hundreds of thousands of passengers. Insiders point to outdated technology as the root cause.

As we wrap up 2022, let’s take a look at the highlights and some exciting things to look forward to in 2023.

What a rollercoaster of a year it’s been (and it’s not even over yet).

Southwest Airlines’ epic meltdown was the perfect reflection of an already chaotic year for aviation. Here are 22 reasons why it’s been a bumpy ride for the industry.

This year, airline passengers, international tourists, and even pilots were involved in a variety of wild antics—fights, pranks, and unexpected displays of bravado erupted everywhere. Take a look at the full stories here.

Tourism boards got swept up in the post-Covid excitement, launching destination campaigns that ranged from downright strange to occasionally brilliant.

The Covid surge in China

China is grappling with its largest Covid-19 outbreak yet, following a sudden lift of restrictions and a partial reopening of its borders. Starting January 8, inbound quarantine will end, allowing families separated for nearly three years to reunite.

Chinese tourists are eager to travel again, but some countries are wary of reopening their doors. The US, Italy, and Japan have reinstated Covid testing for arrivals from China, with others potentially following suit. Chinese state media has labeled these new measures as 'discriminatory.'

Travel inspiration

It’s time to pack away the holiday decorations, open your laptop, and start planning your vacations for 2023. Here’s our guide to the most coveted hotels to book in the new year, featuring luxurious escapes in Dubai and Mozambique, as well as chic hideaways in Paris and Palm Springs.

The Italian Dolomites are home to some truly stunning design hotels. Our guide highlights the best spots for relaxing, indulging, skiing, and après-ski experiences.

If you're dreaming of a countryside escape, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has just unveiled its list of the world’s top villages for tourism, with idyllic locations in Chile, Ethiopia, and South Korea making the cut.

Life on the tracks

2022 brought some thrilling new rail adventures, including a night train from Austria to the Italian Riviera, a new semi-high-speed route across Laos, and an opulent 2,000-mile trans-African journey.

By the end of the year, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula will unveil the 948-mile Tren Maya, a new rail line connecting Caribbean resorts like Cancun to the cultural and historical sites inland.

For the ultimate luxury traveler, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita awaits. This 11-car train, inspired by 1960s and 1970s Italian design, will take you through iconic cities like Rome, Venice, Siena, Matera, and Palermo.

Top destinations for ringing in the New Year

In case you missed it

Why not use December 31 to plan how you'll make your New Year’s Eve celebrations even better in 2023? Take a look at our top destinations to welcome the new year and then, in a related note, discover what people around the world eat and drink to cure a hangover.

Feeling a bit down that the holidays are almost over?

If you were on Christmas Island, it would feel like Christmas every day.

A puppy was found abandoned at San Francisco airport.

Thankfully, a United Airlines pilot and his family have now adopted him.

One of the world’s most crowded cities has just launched its first-ever metro line.

Dhaka commuters are hopeful that it will help reduce congestion.

These breathtaking natural wonders aren’t US national parks.

But perhaps they deserve to be.

Emphasized

If there’s one New Year’s resolution we should all adopt, it’s to become more thoughtful, intelligent, and responsible travelers in 2023. Our partners at Dinogo Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations platform, share six resolutions to help inspire you.