The list includes 50 “far-flung and familiar spots,” ranging from Giza and Saqqara in Egypt to Dijon, France, a gastronomic hotspot.
TIME Magazine named Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and the Union Territory of Ladakh among the ’50 extraordinary destinations to explore in its list of the ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2023. While the travel industry will be back in full swing in 2023, there will be some significant changes in how and where we travel, according to the report.
To compile this list of the World’s Greatest Places, the magazine solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, “with an eye towards those offering new and exciting experiences”.
The list includes 50 “far-flung and familiar spots,” ranging from Giza and Saqqara in Egypt to Dijon, France, a gastronomic hotspot. “Some of the destinations are enforcing more sustainable tourism practices to protect their natural beauty; the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia is moving towards allowing only one foreign visitor per resident.
Others are thriving, growing, and changing, such as Medellin, Colombia, which has blossomed into a culturally vibrant metropolis in the years since Pablo Escobar’s death,” according to the magazine.
Mayurbhanj and Ladakh in India were selected for their rare tigers and ancient temples, as well as their adventures and eats, respectively.
The TIME Magazine list:
- Tampa Bay, Florida
- Oregon’s Willamette Valley
- The Rio Grande, Tucson, Arizona P. R.
- California’s Yosemite National Park
- Montana’s Bozeman
- The city of Washington, D.C.
- Churchill, Manitoba, Vancouver
- Dijon is a city in France.
- Italy’s Pantelleria
- Italy, Naples
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Switzerland, St. Moritz
- Barcelona
- Timisoara is a city in Romania.
- Sylt is a town in Germany.
- Albanian city of Berat
- Budapest
- Vienna
- Australia, Brisbane
- Australia, Kangaroo Island
- Dominica
- City of Mexico
- Mexico, Guadalajara
- Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park
- Brazil’s Pantanal
- Colombia, Medellin
- Peruvian town of Ollantaytambo
- Honduran island of Roatán
- India’s Ladakh
- India, Mayurbhanj
- Nagoya, Kyoto, Japan
- Thailand’s Isan
- Thailand’s Phuket Island
- South Korean island of Jeju
- Laos, Luang Prabang
- Egypt, Giza, and Saqqara
- Kenya’s Chyulu Hills
- Rwanda, Musanze
- Morocco’s capital, Rabat
- Senegal’s capital, Dakar
- Gabon’s Loango National Park
- Sierra Leone’s Peninsula of Freetown
- The Red Sea, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Jordan, Aqaba
- Jerusalem
- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia Polynesia
The magazine mentioned Mayurbhanj as the only place on the planet where you can see the extremely rare black tiger. Apart from the well-known Similipal National Park, there is a lot more to do in this district. “This April, following a pandemic hiatus, Mayurbhanj Chhau, a captivating dance festival on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, will take place on a much larger scale,” TIME reported.
Ladakh, on the other hand, is recognized for its stunning alpine landscapes and Tibetan Buddhist culture. This year, India established its first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle Village, about 168 miles southeast of Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
“While you’re there, experience Delhi’s legendary eateries Karim’s, known for its Mughlai menu of grilled meats, and Nathu’s Sweets, which both opened outlets in Leh in August 2022.
Alternatively, head to Cafe Montagne, which opened in July 2022, for tempura fried prawns with sea buckthorn, fondue, or spicy fried chicken. If you’re heading to Turtuk Village, which is about a 5-hour drive from Leh, don’t miss Farmer’s House Cafe, a newly-established eatery that opened in July 2022, and try sushi, Himalayan herbs salad with local cheese, and other local specialities.
Last year, Kerala and Ahmedabad were named among some of the ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2022’ by TIME.