The world’s most travelled destinations for 2022

AS THE year draws to an end, 2022 has been a year of recovery and rebirth. After three years of lockdown due to the pandemic, travel is picking up.

Going into 2023, people are eager to again explore the world, with our travel bucket list increasing as we discover more dreamy destinations to conquer.

Travel has many benefits, including making you happier, allowing you to disconnect and recharge, reducing stress and anxiety, exposing you to different cultures and new things, boosting your creativity and making you physically healthier.

From catching planes to sailing or cruising the deep blue, being comfy on a scenic coach or just a short road trip to your favourite destination, there is always a lesson that comes with leaving the house. Sinking your feet in beach sand, hearing the waves roaring with life, hiking mountains, kayaking meandering rivers, trekking through the forest or viewing game on a safari, travel is a loaded sensory experience.

Here are the most travelled destinations or your favourite places to voyage, according to data from Vitality Travel.

London, Britain

As the capital of the western world, it comes as no surprise that this city is on the list of the most frequented destinations. This city offers endless education and work opportunities. It's also a cultural melting pot and you have a variety of cuisine from all over the world to choose from.

No city does bespoke like London with its classic English charm. Explore the museums, cultural exhibitions, art, palaces and beautiful parks. There is always something to do.

Consider a stay at the highly rated five star hotel, The Ritz. This haven on Piccadilly is known for its historic elegance, impeccable service, impressive suites, and legendary Afternoon Tea. A stay at this hotel starts at R26 441.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As a place famous for superlatives, such as the world's tallest skyscraper and largest mall, it's unsurprising that people flock to Dubai's shores. Dubai is home to some of the world's grandest and most luxurious hotels, offering guests five-star experiences, making it a serious contender for the title of the most luxurious city in the world.

The city also offers world-class

shopping experiences.

The emirate is able to offer visitors the perfect mix of a cosmopolitan city with traditional aspects of the local culture. The city is attractive for expats, as people who relocate long-term to Dubai can legitimately earn their salary free from income tax.

Popular places to visit include the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain, the Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai and the Adventure Waterpark.

For a luxury stay, try the Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel, at R39 441 a night.

Mauritius

Mauritius is a nature paradise with white sand beaches and turquoise water. It's a great destination for a family holiday, romantic couples getaway,

wedding destination and an ideal escape for those who love luxury resorts and pampering. This small gem in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a melting pot of people from different cultures, religions and ethnicities.

The island has a coastline of about 150 km and one of its beaches, Le Morne, is a Unesco World Heritage site.

In the district of Port Louis, lies the Aapravasi Ghat, also a Unesco Heritage Site, where the modern indentured labour diaspora began. Popular tourist attractions include Charamel Park, Ganga Talao Lake and Black River Gorge National Park.

Shangri-La Le Touessrok is a top rated 5-star hotel that costs R17 663 a night.

Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva might not be the capital of Switzerland, but it's known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle and for being the headquarters of numerous organisations and companies, including CERN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN and The World Bank. It thus takes the title of peace capital of the world.

It's the perfect business and leisure destination with its excellent cuisine and finance, next to sites such as the Alps and Lake Geneva. The city serves as a great base for nature adventures where one can ski in winter or enjoy hiking adventures, biking tours, paragliding, and all kinds of water sports on Lake Geneva in summer.

Since Geneva is a city of diplomats – it's culturally diverse, and you're bound to come across different languages and people from around the world. There's a wide range of choices for dining, with restaurants serving cuisines from different continents.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva has excellent reviews and costs R15 359 a night if you need to rest your head in comfort.

Phuket, Thailand

There are plenty of reasons why Phuket is listed as one of the best travel destinations in the world. The island has more than 30 pristine beaches with palm trees and breathtaking blue waters.

Thailand is also known as an affordable destination with its enticing nightlife where the young and old let loose. The island is known for it's Thai cuisine which can be enjoyed everywhere from local street stalls to fine dining restaurants.

Tourists get to enjoy water and other activities, including snorkelling and scuba diving, white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, cable skiing, wakeboarding, ziplining and quad biking.

You can also climb up to the Big Buddha, experience a jungle safari, and visit Tiger Kingdom or temples and the Elephant Sanctuary.

For a luxurious stay in Phuket, consider COMO Point Yamu on the island's eastern cape of Yamu. The hotel has 106 bedrooms, suites and private villas which start from R4 576 a night.