Seattle, Washington. January 17, 2023: The start of every year prompts reflection on the past and gets us thinking about our aspirations for the future. This often impacts our goals for the coming year, and it’s our adventure and travel dreams that offer the most inspiration.
Award-winning adventure and small group tour company Exodus Travels is inviting travelers to have transformative, meaningful, and healing experiences in 2023. To make up for lost time, to help make the world a better place, to immerse in local life, and master the art of going with the flow. Here are a few trends and tips that will help every type of traveler find their way in 2023:
1. Calling All Citizen Scientists
Going beyond sustainability, regenerative travel is a strong trend for 2023, with travelers wanting to do more when it comes to taking care of the planet we call home. As part of that, Exodus – a leader in sustainable travel, committing to ensure its adventures give far more back to nature than they take – has teamed up with NatureMetrics and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in support of the eBioAtlas. Together, they have set up a process by which travelers take freshwater samples on their special Citizen Science departures that will be used to help support conservation action and inform world biodiversity policy. One such trip includes:
- Portugal: Walking & Wine – Premium Adventure: This eight-day, guided group trip is part of Exodus’ Premium Adventures and takes travelers on a deep-dive into the premier wine region of Portugal, the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley. Led by one of the company’s expert guides, travelers will be immersed in atmospheric Porto and indulge in a voyage of taste and discovery through the verdant Douro Valley, where port wines are produced. Venture into the region known as Terras de Basto, home of Portugal’s young wine, vinho verde, and stay in handpicked hotels. Citizen Science departures: May 7-14 and Sept. 3-10, 2023. Priced from US$3,199 per person.
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2. Add a Little Bit of… Spice
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Last year, Exodus unveiled its new line-up of Premium Adventures in response to the fierce demand it saw for elevated, off-the-beaten-path trips paired with larger-than-life experiences and epic accommodations. In 2023, the demand for luxury remains strong, with the tour operator already seeing a strong desire for even more choice – and indeed, Exodus has added 20 new adventures to its Premium line-up. One such trip is:
- NEW! Tuscan Hills & Chianti Wines – Premium Adventure: A brand-new addition to Exodus’ offering, this eight-day guided group walking & trekking adventure is based out of an exclusive country home located on the edge of the Chianti winelands, close to the medieval town of San Gimignano. Visit Florence and Siena, explore timeless villages and the quaint walled town of Certaldo, savor exclusive wine-tasting experiences, and more. There’s also ample free time to choose your own adventure – such as a trip to medieval Volterra, a tour of ancient Lucca, or perhaps a hand-on cooking class. Departures available throughout 2023. Priced from US$3,549 per person.
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3. The Hot List
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With the opening of the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum set for next year (it’ll house the largest archeological collection in the world, as well as all 5,000 of Tutankhamun’s treasures), Egypt is well primed to become a top tourist destination for 2023. It’s also a landmark time in Egypt’s history to visit; this month marks 100 years since King Tut’s tomb was discovered. Having lifted its COVID restrictions last summer, pyramid-hopping and hot air balloon rides over Luxor’s ancient sites are back in business with a vengeance, and Exodus features a selection of itineraries in Egypt, including a Premium Adventure and a special RCGS departure with Joseph Frey later in the year, among others.
- Nile Cruise: For a classic Egypt experience, this nine-day itinerary delivers – complete with ancient temples and tombs, and travel by boat. The trip kicks off in Cairo with visits to the Pyramids at Giza, El Azhar Mosque, and the lively bazaar, among others. On day three, guests fly to Luxor, visiting the Karnak and Luxor temples before boarding the cruise boat where they will spend the next four nights, disembarking in Aswan for more exploration on day seven. Departures available throughout 2023. Priced from US$2,149 per person.
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4. Gear Up!
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Bike tourism, which absolutely boomed over the last couple of years, continues to grow, offering an active getaway that invites travelers to enjoy all the benefits of being outdoors while also providing an immersive look at a destination. And cycling trips are more accessible than ever thanks to e-bikes, which are available as an option on 98 of Exodus’ cycling itineraries worldwide, including:
- Cycling in Sicily: Combine a cycling adventure with some White Lotus season two-inspired content on this eight-day trip that explores the baroque gems of Ragusa, Modica, and Noto, ending in Syracuse, the ancient heart of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece). Cycle through idyllic farmlands, deep gorges, and dramatic coastal scenery, and, of course, sample some of the top-notch cuisine, considered among the best in Italy. Departures available throughout 2023. Priced from US$2,449 per person.
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5. Give Yourself Time
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If hiking the Inca Trail, getting up-close to the chimps and gorillas of Uganda, or taking a tiger Safari in India are on your travel wish list for 2023, Exodus recommends booking those trips ASAP given the limited number of permits available and longer processing times for visas that are required to visit these places.
- On the eight-day Inca Trail guided group tour permits are required and are highly sought after, with the company strongly recommending booking at least six to eight months in advance to avoid disappointment. Priced from US$2,149 per person.
- On the 10-day Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda trip, which visits Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, visas are required to enter the country and permits to see the chimps are strictly limited and must be booked in advance. Priced from US$6,399 per person.
- On the 16-day India Tiger Safari, travelers have the opportunity to see one of the world’s most captivating predators up-close. However, spaces of jeeps in the parks close 30 days prior to departure and the process for securing visas to enter the country can take up to five weeks. Priced from US$4,249 per person.
For more information on these trips, and many more, visit ExodusTravels.com.
