Travel Diaries: My (Sort Of) Travel Wishlist For 2023

There’s no better way to start the new year than dreaming up what adventures it could bring. Now whilst I have a endless travel wishlist - I know it’s not practical to visit them all in 2023. So instead of just putting together a list of countries, I’m putting together a list of experiences I want to have this year. Some can be abroad, some a bit closer to home in the UK and some I can even do in London, where I am living at the moment.

See a theatre show

I really love going to the theatre but I really don’t go as much as I would like. London is practically on my doorstep and while I’m still living here I want to take advantage of being so close to the west end. I honestly don’t have an excuse not to go more often. There is just something about seeing live theatre - be it a musical, ballet, opera or play - it just immerses me like nothing else does. Last year my husband and I went to see the Book of Mormon and it was truly such a fun experience! We both had such a great time and agreed we should definitely do it again soon. I think we’d like to go and see Chicago next, I’d also love to see the Royal Ballet again too. Maybe I’ll even go to both?

Go on a day trip

Day trips are such an inexpensive way to enjoy nearby cities and even countries. Living in London, I’m pretty lucky to be close enough to quite a few places. Last year I went on a handful day trips to the New Forest, Hayling Island and Lyme Regis. Although the drives can be long and fuel costly, it’s doable. I really like the excitement of getting up early in the morning, grabbing my backpack and heading out for the entire day. I usually don’t have a solid plan when I do this, just a loose idea of where I want to go. This makes it feel much more spontaneous and allows me to explore my destination without any constraints. It’s both freeing and super fun.

Visit one of the northern European countries

I’ve been to a few places in Europe, however I have never been to any of the Northern European countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland). So many people have told me about the dramatic landscapes, tasty food and interesting historical aspects of the countries. I’d love to see them for myself, maybe even this year?

Have several beach days

I love a beach day! Even if it’s not summer, I can still find ways to enjoy the beach. You can go kayaking, rockpooling, fossil hunting, shell collecting and of course just enjoy the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Being on the beach is just so relaxing to me and I want to do it more this year. It also helps keep me feel more at peace and less in my own head. Whether I’m swimming, picnicking or just enjoying time with my friends and family - I’m pretty happy when I’m at the beach. Some of my favourite beaches to visit are: Lyme Regis, Lepe, West Wittering, Exmouth and Blackpool Sands.

Visit some London museums

When I was a teenager I used to go to the museums in London all the time. They were a big part of my childhood and I really enjoyed seeing the new exhibits and learning something new. My favourite museum as a teenager was the Science Museum in Kensington. There were always so many things to interact with in there and cool displays to watch. Most of the museums in London are free (with some special exhibits requiring a fee). The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are also really close together so if you plan carefully you can visit all three in one day.

I hope you’re feeling inspired after reading my list and now you’re ready to plan your own experiences for 2023. What are you going to do first?