Another year on the road, another 12 months of breakdowns and debacles. As one analyst put it, 2023 “brought chaos to a new level.” Oh. However, travelers continue to fly, including to record-breaking numbers on Thanksgiving weekend.
Whether they’ve decided to enter the fray or just take to the armchair, our readers love stories that take them away, whether it’s about traveling across London on the new Elizabeth rail line, hiking long-distance walking routes (like new Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka or the 637-mile Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan), or the slow-motion ballet of whales off the coast of Long Island in New York.
And many strange trends have also emerged: AI-generated fake guidebooks have flooded the Amazon, dogs have flown on private jets and “sky couches” have become an in-flight amenity option.
Here are eight of the most read Travel stories for 2023, some of which have readers fired up (let’s just say people have opinions on airplane sock etiquette).
“Housekeeping!” Does the phrase – usually followed by two surprising knocks on the door – fill you with happiness or dread? By 2023, travel has largely recovered to prepandemic levels, but daily cleaning in hotels seems to be a thing of the past. Good for sustainability, perhaps (less laundry), but hotel unions are concerned that the changes could threaten the jobs of housekeepers.
You said:
“Staying in a hotel without daily housekeeping service is like going out for a nice dinner and then being expected to stay and do the dishes afterwards.” Allison, out west
An obscure phrase became even more popular in 2023: skiplagging. Passengers find that, in some cases, fares to their destination are cheaper when booked as a layover elsewhere — so they get off after the first leg of the flight, and don’t board the second. Genius, right? Turns out, airlines don’t think so — American Airlines banned a teenager for three years for training.
You said:
“Too bad for the airlines. After decades of putting thumb screws on travelers (seat size, tarmac delays, etc.) it’s time for customers to beat them at their own game!” The Witness, New York
Is anyone surprised that this is the most read 36 Hour guide of the year? Laura Cappelle, a Paris-based theater critic for The Times, mapped out a weekend exploring a different part of the French capital. After reading his guide, you can dream of climbing the spiral, wrought-iron staircase in painter Gustave Moreau’s magnificent two-story art studio.
You said:
“Incredible city. I have been lucky enough to visit several times. The one thing I recommend? Grab a pastry/baguette, travel up to the Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, sit back, take in the best view of the city and watch the world go by.” Christian, Manchester
For the Guisachan Gathering, of course! Think of it as a sort of golden retriever convention, commemorating the anniversary of the breed’s founding.
You said:
“If everyone had Gold, we would live in a peaceful, crime-free society, walking around happily.” John Zotto, Ischia, Italy.
Exploring a city on foot is one of the great pleasures of travel. We’ve mapped out seven great city walks: Follow the 600-year-old fortress wall in Seoul, wander the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and discover the spider web of alleyways in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Travel is fun until things go awry — and travelers find they’re powerless when an operator refuses to refund thousands of dollars. This Tripped Up column — part of our travel advice series — resonated with readers, many of whom were in similar circumstances, and left nearly 2,000 comments. In this case, our columnist was able to secure a full refund for this reader in need, but it wasn’t easy.
You said:
“Well done! Well done! Well done! Outstandingly researched and executed. Turning the minutiae of the fine print of the companies involved against them is a master stroke, well done.” Daniel, Orion Nebula
Have you ever sat in an airplane seat and noticed, out of the corner of your eye… no, it’s too terrible … a bare foot crawling through just your arm rest? In the summer of 2023, travelers are overdue for an airline ethics refresh. Kristie Koerbel, a flight attendant for more than 20 years, laid down the law.
You said:
“Just flying back from MIA to EWR, which is a 2ish hour flight. I was about to enter the first class, I had just sat down, and I noticed that the man in front of me was already wearing sneakers and socks. Not only did he sit there without a sock, he also moved into the cabin and got up to use the restroom without a sock. Have people lost their sense of decorum?” KeepYourFeetCovered, NY
Our annual list of must-visit destinations has generated a lot of wonder, surprise and lively discussion. Scroll to get inspired for a future trip, or just to expand your world to a place of armchair travel.
You said:
“I didn’t travel much when I was young, but I could dream big. Eventually, I realized some of those dreams. This kind of article helps us to dream and appreciate the beautiful diversity of this planet. A life without big dreams feels empty.” Diane L Lewis, Chicago, Ill.
