6 Dream Travel Destinations For 2023, Chosen By The PORTER Editors
From first-time trips to long-time loves and bucket-list destinations, these are the vacations the PORTER team are dreaming of for the year ahead…
ZAKYNTHOS Alice Casely-Hayford, content director
“I visited Greece for the first time a couple of years ago for my best friend’s wedding. We island-hopped between Mykonos and Andros, and I was completely enchanted by the food, the vistas, the atmosphere and the people. This summer, we’re returning to Greece but heading to Zakynthos. This vacation will be slightly different to the trips my husband and I used to take five years ago; now that we have a two-year-old son, the constant quest is to find a location that is family-friendly yet doesn’t compromise on style, relaxation and good food. For that reason, we’re going to The Peligoni Club, which looks like fun for parents and kids in equal measure. A beautiful boutique hotel with plenty of activities for everyone – we cannot wait to visit.”
PORT ANTONIO Kara Kia, fashion content editor
“I could visit Port Antonio in Jamaica every year for the rest of my life and never tire of it. Well known by locals as the most beautiful part of the island, the natural landscape feels truly captivating. If you want an insider experience, be sure to stay at Geejam – a boutique hotel with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. You’ll find Audrey Hepburn’s former vacation home on the property, and a recording studio that attracts some of the music industry’s best talent. While in Portie, be sure to visit Frenchman’s Cove beach, the famous Blue Lagoon, or book a rafting tour down the Rio Grande and stop for lunch at Belinda’s Riverside Restaurant. If you want fine dining, try The Veranda at the nearby Trident Hotel.”
CAPRI Newby Hands, global beauty director
“While, in all honesty, anywhere in Italy is just fine by me, Capri still has that extra magic. There’s something special about islands and, when the evening draws in and the day-trippers leave, Capri takes on a different feeling. (That said, if possible, avoid July and August.) Admittedly, beaches on the island are few, but days are easily filled with eating, shopping (go early to order bespoke leather sandals from Viva Antonio, made famous by Jackie O, to collect before you leave), excellent people-watching while cocktail-sipping, plus a session at Capri Palace’s famous Leg School. A unique experience of icy wraps and volcanic-mud packs (from neighboring Ischia), it’s a favorite with Hollywood A-listers, Wimbledon champions, football superstars – and me.”
SRI LANKA Victoria Newton-Syms, content manager
“After an incredible trip to South Africa last year, it’s safe to say I have caught the safari bug and would love to explore more of the world’s most sublime natural habitats. Sri Lanka is the next destination I want to tick off my bucket list, as it offers everything that I’m craving from a vacation right now – from temples and tea trails to lush jungle hikes and amazing wildlife (Sri Lanka is the best place for big-game safaris outside Africa, and its ‘Big Five’ are the elephant, leopard, sloth bear, blue and sperm whale). Uga Chena Huts and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, both situated in Yala National Park, look like the perfect mix of luxury and romance off the beaten track. After a jam-packed itinerary of excursions, a few days on the beach at a resort such as Amanwella would be paradise.”
MARRAKECH Katie Berrington, senior editor
“I have wanted to visit Morocco for as long as I can remember but, somehow, the trip just hasn’t come to fruition yet. This year, I hope to remedy that with a vacation to experience the utter enrapture of Marrakech and the rugged desert surrounds. In the city, the boutique riads in the medina look particularly beguiling: from the beautiful haven of Le Farnatchi to the dazzling, design-centric El Fenn, while a dip in the pool on the rooftop garden of the new Nobu Hotel promises the most majestic vista of Marrakech. Then, a 45-minute drive from the downtown thrills is Caravan Agafay, an immersive desert retreat where you stay in luxurious, minimalistic tents and lodges, explore the nearby mountains and villages with expert guides, and stargaze in the lunar landscape. The combination of the city exuberance and this ethereal escape sounds like a match made in heaven.”
HALKIDIKI Charlie Boyd, fine jewelry and watches editor
“If you have kids, then you will undoubtedly have heard murmurs of ‘Sani Resort’ whispered at birthday parties like it’s the Holy Grail – and that’s because, for parents, it is. Located in Halkidiki, Greece, the magic of Sani Resort is simple: it provides everything you could ever need to make a vacation with young children actually feel like a holiday. Comprising five hotels spread across 1,000 acres of Mediterranean charm, there is a choice of 27 restaurants (including Michelin-star dining) and five spas – and, coupled with the beachside nanny service and creche, you can even expect to properly indulge in them. I’d love to have a chance to explore the forest trails and Aegean beaches knowing that the kids are kept occupied with the onsite football academy, dolphin-spotting and swimming lessons. You’re limited only by your imagination – from chartered yachts to private dining, Sani Resort can offer it all – but just the thought of everyone coming back refreshed makes this my ultimate destination.”