5 Travel Ideas for 2023

Good morning and Happy Friday!

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support.

Gosh, it’s December already.

The alarm clock didn’t even wake me up this morning.

I woke up on my own an hour before the alarm was supposed to go off.

I stayed in bed for a few minutes before putting my feet on the cold floor and heading to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.

Once the coffee was brewed, I poured a cup, sat at my desk, and shook my head.

I can go to work and trudge through the day or…

I can start planning a vacation.

I took a sip of coffee and smiled, thinking of all the places I could go.

The 9 to 5 grind goes on. 

The days are short. 

Unless you’re lucky enough to work from home, it’s dark when you leave for work in the morning and during your commute home. 

While it may seem challenging to beat the winter blues, this is an excellent time of year to start thinking about where you want to travel to in 2023. Why?

• It’s cheaper to book your vacation now rather than wait until the last minute.

• It’s a fun, motivational exercise.

• A planned vacation gives you something to look forward to when you get to that dreaded hour of the workday and ask yourself, “Is this really why I am trading my time for money?”

In no particular order, here are my top 5 travel recommendations (plus 2 bonus recommendations):

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a very Brooklyn-esque city.

Berlin has a good mix of sightseeing, museums, fine dining, and a vibrant nightlife. Two highlights were stopping for pretzels and beer in Tiergarten Park and two great meals at Max and Moritz, a restaurant recommended to us by locals.

You can easily take a day trip to Bamberg, Germany, and visit the brewery of my favorite beer: Schlenkerla. The brewery also serves exceptional food.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the city to go to when you want to decompress. 

Most people may recommend Porto. I am not a fan of Porto. I much prefer Lisbon.

For a day trip from Lisbon, don’t skip a visit to Sintra. Just an hour away by train, Sintra is home to the gorgeous Palacio de Pena. Get there early to beat the crowds, and don’t be afraid to wander off the tourist path. We found a great restaurant tucked in the hills of Sintra that we would have easily overlooked had a local not pointed us in the right direction. 

If you’re looking for more of a beach vacation, you can always travel to The Algarve.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of my favorite cities in Europe because it reminds me of Germany in the early 90s.

It’s smaller than both Berlin and Lisbon. It’s also less expensive. You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck in Prague compared to many European cities without sacrificing culture and experiences.

Of course, visit Prague Castle, but if you have time, cross the river and visit Vyšehrad. You’ll get a great view without fighting crowds. If you’re lucky, you can grab a table for a drink and a snack on the terrace at Rio’s.

Scotland

Scotland is a country I plan to spend a lot more time in, considering my best friend Gene and his wife Chloe currently call Glasgow home. 

I’ve only spent about a week in Scotland, which was far too short. 

Rent a car and take a road trip along the North Coast, The North Coast 500.  

Stay in small-town hotels and ask locals for recommendations of their favorite whiskey (Scotch).

Spend a night or two in Lossiemouth.

And visit the brewery of my second favorite beer: the Belhaven Brewery, Scotland's oldest working brewery.

And the scenery really can’t be beaten.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has it all. 

It’s a metropolitan city. There are bars and restaurants all over the place. There's easy access to beaches, it’s incredibly walkable, and the people are friendly. It’s just a fun place to be.

The one area of Barcelona to stay away from is the beaches. The beaches in Barcelona during the summer are ridiculously crowded. They remind me of South Beach in Miami during the height of Spring Break. 

For a relaxing beach experience, take the train to Canet de Mar (1st bonus recommendation), about an hour north of Barcelona.

2nd Bonus Recommendation: Sundance, Wyoming

What’s in Sundance, Wyoming? 

Absolutely nothing. That’s why I love it. 

I have been here twice and stayed in a small cabin both times. There is a pizzeria, a drive-through bar, and a steakhouse. That’s all I need. 

Sundance is the one place I travel to annually. It’s about a 2-3 day drive from New York City. 

For me, it is the ultimate escape. 

If you want sightseeing, you can visit the Devil’s Tower, about a half hour to the West. 

The Badlands, South Dakota, is about an hour and a half to the East, and not far from The Badlands is Mount Rushmore. 

If you are looking for the ultimate escape from everything, Sundance, Wyoming, is where you go.

Remember: spending money on experiences is always a good investment. 

If you find the balance between time and money, take advantage of it. When you’re stuck at your desk, consider planning your next escape.

Get out and see the world. 

Interesting reads:

How to Travel: 21 Contrarian Rules

$350,000 a Year, and Just Getting By

Title notwithstanding, this article will provide you with some great travel ideas: The 33 Best Trips of 2019 

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