6 seemingly impossible trips to (actually!) take in 2023

“Bucket list” trips have a tendency to feel out of reach, like once-in-a-lifetime experiences reserved for the wealthiest of travelers. But if you consider them from a different angle—whether it’s visiting during shoulder season, prioritizing in budget-friendly accommodations, or even choosing an alternate but similar destination—you’ll discover that many are quite doable.

Below, we’ve rounded up six trips that feel unbelievable but don’t actually require a huge amount of money or planning to enjoy. Prepare to turn your travel dreams into vacation reality.

If you think exploring some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife and landscapes is only for the well-heeled, think again. South Africa has a well-established park system that’s relatively easy to navigate, meaning you don’t necessarily need to shell out for a plush lodge that handles all the details.

Fly into Johannesburg—Delta and United offer daily non-stop flights from their hubs in Atlanta and Newark, respectively. From there, it’s just a 45-minute connecting flight to Kruger National Park, one of South Africa’s largest game reserves with ample opportunities to spot the “Big Five.”

Save money by staying just outside the park at a place like the Kruger Gate Hotel, located next to the Sabie River and minutes from Paul Kruger Gate. A quick check of rates in mid-September 2023 shows that you can score a four-night stay in a Kruger Deluxe King room for less than $1,000 total, including breakfast. Then, you can either rent a car (the best option is at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, about a 90-minute drive from Paul Kruger Gate) for a self-drive safari, or book the “Safari Concierge” at the Kruger Gate Hotel, which has both private and group drive options.

With its rich culture, incredible food, and spectacular beaches, Thailand often gets the spotlight when it comes to travel in Southeast Asia. But nearby countries like Malaysia have many of the same attractions at a fraction of the cost.

Malaysia’s dynamic capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a globally connected city, reachable by several non-stop flights from major U.S. gateways on airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and more. On the ground, you’ll find all the big-city amenities—cultural attractions, innovative cuisine, lively nightlife—for modest prices. Even the high-end hotels are reasonable (in mid-September 2023, the five-star JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur is just $92 per night and the opulent Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is $228).

After a stay in Kuala Lumpur, make the journey to Taman Negara National Park to spot some of the 200-plus species that call the rain forest home, including tigers, elephants, and leopards. Reserve a shuttle through Han Travel for just $30 or drive yourself, renting a car from either Kuala Lumpur International Airport or any number of spots around the city.

However you arrive at Taman Negara, you’ll want to take advantage of all its spectacular nature. Hike the 1,100-foot-tall Bukit Teresek hill for sweeping views, cross the world’s longest canopy walkway, or explore thrilling caves like Gua Telinga. When you’re ready to rest, head to the Mutiara Taman Negara Eco Park Resort, which features well-appointed chalet and bungalow rooms for just over $100 per night in mid-September 2023.

From the rainforest, head straight to the beach on the island of Langkawi, known for its stunning vistas of the Andaman Sea. Spend your days relaxing, swimming, and enjoying magnificent sunsets at none other than the St. Regis Langkawi. While the resort has an incredible waterfront location, multiple dining outlets and pools, and a full-service spa, it costs hundreds less on Langkawi than a St. Regis stay would in other parts of the world—just $375 per night in mid-September 2023.

Everyone fantasizes about going to remote islands like the Maldives or Bora Bora and staying in a private bungalow over turquoise waters, but few people can actually afford that type of trip. For a similar vacation that costs a whole lot less, go to Fiji.

Located in the South Pacific, Fiji comprises more than 300 islands, easily reached via a non-stop flight on the national airline, Fiji Airways, from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Honolulu.

To most closely replicate a vacation in the Maldives, stay at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, which boasts overwater villas on a private lagoon for around $549 per night in mid-September 2023. It’s not cheap, but it’s still a steal comparatively speaking. (You could also score a base-level room for just $379 per night.)

If you can tear yourself away from your villa, plan a day trip to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, where you can walk on an elevated trail through the forest to see a multitude of plants and flowers unique to this region of the world. It’s located about an hour north of the Marriott, just outside the Fijian capital of Nadi, and the hotel can help arrange transportation.

Also make time for some of Fiji’s many outdoor adventures. Sea Fiji Reefs offers snorkeling tours at the dazzling Beqa Island (about a two-hour drive from the resort), while Aqua-Trek leads reef and shark dives, as well as PADI certification classes. Other options include kayaking and white-water rafting with Rivers Fiji, and zip-lining with Zip Fiji in scenic locations like Nadi and Pacific Harbor.

For a closer look at Fijian culture, take a Sigatoka River Safari. In addition to teaching the history of the region, the 10.5-mile scenic cruise stops at a Fijian village, where you’ll visit the chief’s house or community hall to participate in a kava ceremony. (Kava is a drink made from the root of a pepper plant and is traditionally enjoyed when a new visitor arrives in a village.) Before heading back down the river, you’ll also be treated to a village tour, a delicious lunch, and some Fijian singing and dancing.

The Northern Lights may be elusive, but you have a pretty good chance of seeing them in Iceland if you play your cards right. First of all, plan your trip for sometime between September and April. You can bet it’ll be cold, but it’ll also be mostly dark, which greatly increases your chances of spotting the aurora borealis. (Around the winter solstice in December, Iceland only sees about four hours of light per day.)

Secondly, be willing to venture from Reykjavik. Two of the best places to see the Northern Lights are the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in the south of the country and the untouched Westfjords region in the north, which is typically darker and less cloudy than other parts of Iceland. If you absolutely must stay in Reykjavik, head just minutes away to the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula to see the lights—it has the least light pollution of any area in the capital region.

Lastly, book a session with a seasoned guide from Reykjavik Excursions, who will be knowledgeable about where the aurora might be popping up on any given night. Another option is the Northern Lights by Boat experience by Special Tours, during which you’ll head out on the open water to take in the stars, maybe a whale or two, and hopefully the Northern Lights illuminating the pitch-black sky.

Iceland is one of the easier destinations to get to from North America. It’s under six hours from several East Coast cities and, thanks to the recent proliferation of budget airlines that fly to the country, flights are relatively inexpensive. (For example, a roundtrip flight between Boston and Reykjavik in February 2023 is just $285). This fact, plus the wide range of accommodations available all over the country, put seeing the Northern Lights firmly within reach.

Patagonia is such a large region—stretching for almost 400,000 square miles across both Argentina and Chile—that planning a trip here can feel unfathomable. But if you’re willing to accept that you can’t possibly see it all in one trip and, instead, focus on a specific sub-region, it becomes much more doable.

It will always be up for debate whether Argentine or Chilean Patagonia is better, but the Argentine side definitely has a more established tourist infrastructure, so start there for an easier visit. Fly into the capital of Buenos Aires (there are non-stop flights from several U.S. cities including New York, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Dallas), then on to the city of El Calafate (it’s about a three-hour flight from Buenos Aires; Aerolíneas Argentinas offers daily nonstop options for just $75 one way).

In El Calafate, stay at the Design Suites Calafate, which has stunning views of Lago Argentino and serves as the perfect base for exploring Patagonian treasures like the Perito Moreno glacier. In mid-September 2023, you can get a junior suite for $156 per night. When you’re ready for adventure, take the hotel shuttle to the center of El Calafate and make your way to the bus terminal. From there, Cal Tur offers regular bus service to the entrance of Los Glaciares National Park. You can simply book a round-trip transfer (the ride is about 90 minutes one way), or opt for a guided tour, glacier trek, or scenic boat ride in the park.

Cal Tur also runs buses from El Calafate to the small town of El Chaltén (about a three-hour journey, costing $20 to $30 one way), where you can access some of the most popular hikes in Argentine Patagonia, including the Laguna de los Tres. If you’d rather not go solo trekking, hike with a guide and small group through Walk Patagonia. In El Chalén, rest your head at Los Cerros del Chaltén Boutique Hotel (from about $170 per night) for unforgettable views of the surrounding splendor.

From the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings to the Nile River, Egypt is epic to the point of overwhelm. You’d be wrong to write it off, though. It’s actually relatively easy to travel here—especially now, when tourism has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels. The crowds are fewer and there are deals to be had, especially on airfare. In fact, nonstop flights from New York to Cairo on flagship carrier EgyptAir in mid-April 2023 are currently around $800.

Once you arrive, spend some time in Cairo. Not only does the city offer exciting food, sprawling markets, and interesting neighborhoods, but it’s also home to some of Egypt’s most remarkable sites, including the pyramids and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Stay at the five-star Marriott Mena House, complete with jaw-dropping views of the pyramids, for just over $200 per night in mid-April 2023.

From there, take a quick 90-minute flight to Aswan, a popular departure point for Nile River cruises. Book one to Luxor to see how the river shaped society thousands of years ago—and continues to do so today. (Companies like Luxor & Aswan Travel Agency offer cruises for all budgets and timeframes, and can help pick the one that’s right for you.) Before boarding your cruise, however, make the day trip to Abu Simbel—it’s about a three-hour bus ride from Aswan—to witness the massive twin temples carved entirely from rock.

When your cruise terminates in Luxor, take a few days to experience the city. On the site of ancient Thebes, it comprises major sites like the Valley of the Kings ancient burial ground, the Temple of Karnak, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. You can snag a room at the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, situated right on the banks of the Nile, for just about $200 per night.

After all that sightseeing, you’ll just want to relax, so hop an hour-long flight to Sharm El-Sheikh. The resort town on the Red Sea offers white-sand beaches; shipwrecks, walls, and reefs for diving; and a fun dining and nightlife scene. There’s a variety of beautiful beachfront resorts to choose from here, including the Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa from just $75 per night and the luxe Four Seasons Resort Sharm El-Sheikh from $400 per night.