At the beginning of the year, we identified some of the top trends in travel for 2023. One of those trends was combining multiple destinations on a single itinerary. We weren’t kidding as even two and a half months into 2023, we’ve noticed that multi-country vacations are all the rage.
Travelers want more bang for their buck and want to see as much as they can on a single trip. Their vacation days are valuable, so they better make the most of them. At Goway, we love putting together multi-country vacations for travelers. These trips can include two neighboring countries or half of an entire continent—there are few, if any, limits to what you can do on a multi-country vacation. But some trips are more popular with our travelers than others.
To help you plan multi-country vacations in 2023, or at least to inspire you about what is possible on a single vacation, we’re sharing 10 of the best multi-country vacations for 2023. These trips include six of the seven continents (although technically any trip to Antarctica is a multi-country journey because you have to connect from Argentina first!) and feature old favourites and rising stars in the world of travel. You can learn more about multi-country vacations on our website, or keep reading to find a bit of travel inspiration for the rest of the year.
What are the best multi-country vacations?
See the Triple Threat of London, Paris & Amsterdam
Anyone fancy a romp through London, Paris, and Amsterdam? That’s what you’ll get on this 13-day multi-country tour. This European vacation takes advantage of short travel distances and great train infrastructure to zip you from London to Paris to Amsterdam. You’ll see some famous landmarks between the cities, including Kensington Palace, the Louvre, and Versailles, and have plenty of time at leisure to grab a pint or a baguette or pony up for some of the freshest tulips you’ve ever seen.
Go East to Explore Budapest, Vienna & Prague
Eastern Europe is a marvelous place to travel, with great food, friendly people, and some of the most beautiful urban centres in the world. It’s also very affordable, which is appealing to travelers working with a tight budget. This classic 11-day journey starts in Budapest, where you’ll see landmarks of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and have some time to soak in the famous local bathhouses. Connect to Vienna by train to see the other co-capital of the Hapsburgs and enjoy some of Europe’s best museums. Final stop is Prague, the Czech capital and home to one of the finest medieval old towns on the continent. Day trips to Salzburg and Cesky Krumlov only add to the fun.
City & Safari in Dubai & South Africa
There are few better pairings than a few days in the city followed by a week in the wilderness. When that city is the futuristic wonderland of Dubai and the wilderness is the African bushland of Greater Kruger National Park, then you’re in for a treat. This 12-day vacation showcases architecture marvels like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Next stop is Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, one of the most naturally beautiful and culturally diverse cities on the planet. Final stop is Timbavati Game Reserve in Greater Kruger where morning and afternoon game drives promise sightings of exotic animals, including the Big Five.
Follow the Pyramids to Petra in Egypt & Jordan
If you’re a history buff, you’ll be in heaven on this 13-day trip through Egypt and Jordan. In Egypt, the focus is on the age of the pharaohs as you tour pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, and cruise the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, stopping off at the tombs and temples of ancient kings and queens. After a stop at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh for some rest and relaxation, continue onwards to Jordan to see its collection of historic and natural wonders, including the desert of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and the Red Rose City of Petra.
Two Wonders, One Trip: Machu Picchu & the Galapagos
It’s hard to beat the one-two punch of seeing Machu Picchu and following it up with a trip through the Galapagos Islands. Just think about it: you’re seeing one of, if not the, greatest historical landmark on the planet. Then you’re following it up with a cruise through the mythical Galapagos Islands where you’ll see exotic wildlife that only exists in this tiny island chain. It’s magnificent! Aside from these two showstoppers, this 12-day trip to Peru and Ecuador also includes some time in Lima, Cusco, Quito, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can see archaeological wonders not named Machu Picchu.
The South Pacific Duo: Australia and New Zealand
Name a more iconic duo than Australia and New Zealand? They’re like fries and ketchup, like Batman and Robin, like Simon and Garfunkel. OK, they’re not quite like Batman and Robin, but they make for a natural travel pair as they’re close to each other and reward travelers who fly across the Pacific with some of the most astounding natural landscapes in the world—and the cities are pretty swell, too. This 11-day South Pacific vacation just scratches the surface in Sydney and Auckland, with some day tours to local highlights. However, it’s a perfect intro and a great trip to extend, allowing you the framework to create an unforgettable journey in the South Pacific.
Triple Feature in the South Pacific: Australia, New Zealand & Fiji
Thought Australia and New Zealand were iconic as a duo? How about we add Fiji to the mix? This way, you get to relax on the warm beaches of Fiji for a few nights before you experience the postcard perfect sights of Australia and New Zealand. This 14-day trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji includes time in Sydney and Auckland, a journey to the Great Barrier Reef, and a trip to the otherworldly Waitomo Caves, where glow worms light up the underground world. It also includes some sightseeing in Rotorua, where you get a first-hand encounter with Maori culture, and, yes, some time at the beach on Tivua Island in Fiji to kick off the trip on the right foot.
Double the Wonder in Southeast Asia: Vietnam & Thailand
If you want to deep dive into the two most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, this 19-day trip is for you. Start with just over a week in northern Vietnam. Explore the capital Hanoi, cruise between the magnificent karst islands of Halong Bay for a night, and split some time between the former imperial capital, Hue, and a beach resort in trendy Hoi An. In Thailand, the journey starts in northern Chiang Mai, where you get a taste of country life in the nation’s most charming city. Head south to experience the bustle of the capital Bangkok and cap off the trip with a few days relaxing in the southern beachside resort of Hua Hin.
Ancient Wonders in Vietnam & Cambodia
One of the conveniences of Southeast Asia is that it’s easy to mix and match which countries you visit. You can easily swap one out for another or add them all to create an epic trip through the region. This 17-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia takes in the highlights of Vietnam, including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, the largest urban centre in the nation. It’s then on to Cambodia to experience the resurgent capital, Phnom Penh, and delve into the ancient treasures of Angkor. Angkor Wat is the most famous of the temples, but there is far more than this single temple to unlock here. Altogether, Angkor is one of the most astounding historical sites on the planet.
Historic Highways of the Northeast: US & Canada
Let’s not forget about the countries we call home because there are some great wonders to unlock here. Follow the northeastern highways to dazzling urban centres, historic battlefields, and cultural highlights on this 15-day trip through the United States and Canada. Kick things off in New York City and then follow the highway to Cape Cod, Boston, and over the border into Canada. Reach Quebec City, the oldest European settlement in Canada, and follow the St. Lawrence River down to Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. After some time in the picturesque Niagara region, cross the border again to explore the historic and political highlights of Gettysburg, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.
If you’re inspired by one of these multi-country vacations or want to discuss your own plans for a multi-destination trip, get in touch with your trusted travel advisor or a Goway Destination Specialist.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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