Another year of travel, another 12 months of collapses and debacles. As one analyst put it, 2023 “has brought chaos to a new level.” Cabbage. However, travelers continued to fly, even in record numbers on Thanksgiving weekend.
Whether they decided to jump into the fray or simply armchair travel, our readers loved the stories that took them away, whether it was a journey across London on the new Elizabeth railway line, to long-distance hiking routes ( such as the 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 plenty of strange trends have emerged, too: fake AI-generated guides have flooded Amazon, dogs have flown on private jets, and “sky couches” have become an onboard comfort option.
Here are eight of the most read travel stories for 2023, some of which got readers very excited (let’s say people have opinions about airplane sock etiquette).
“Housework!” Does the sentence, which usually follows two startling knocks on the door, fill you with happiness or dread? In 2023, travel returned to prepandemic levels, but daily cleaning in hotels seemed to have become a thing of the past. Good for sustainability, perhaps (less laundry), but hotel unions fear the changes could threaten cleaners’ jobs.
You said:
“Staying in a hotel without daily housekeeping is like going out for a nice dinner and then expecting to stay and wash the dishes afterwards.” Allison, west
An obscure phrase has become more popular in 2023: skiplagging. Passengers found that, in some cases, airline tickets to their destination were cheaper if booked as a stopover somewhere else, so they would disembark after the first leg of the flight and not board the second. Genius, right? It turns out the airlines don’t think so: American Airlines banned a teenager for three years for this practice.
You said:
“Shame on the airlines. After decades of putting thumbscrews on travelers (seat sizes, tarmac delays, etc.), it’s time for customers to beat them at their own game!” The Eyewitness, New York
Is anyone surprised that this was the most read 36 Hours guide of the year? Laura Cappelle, Parisian theater critic for The Times, planned a weekend exploring a different side of the French capital. After reading her guide, you might dream of climbing the wrought-iron spiral staircase into painter Gustave Moreau’s magnificent two-story art studio.
You said:
“Incredible city. I have been lucky enough to visit it several times. The only thing I recommend? Grab a pastry/baguette, go up to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, sit down, admire the most beautiful view of the city and watch the world go by.” Christian, Manchester
For the Guisachan gathering, of course! Think of it as a Golden Retriever convention of sorts, commemorating the anniversary of the breed’s founding.
You said:
“If everyone had a Golden we would live in a peaceful, crime-free society and walk around happy.” Giovanni Zotto, Ischia, Italy.
Exploring a city on foot is one of the great pleasures of travelling. We’ve mapped out seven stunning city walks: follow the walls of a 600-year-old fortress in Seoul, stroll along the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, and discover a web of passageways in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Traveling is fun until things go wrong and travelers find they have little power 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 had found themselves in similar circumstances, and left nearly 2,000 comments. In this case, our columnist was able to secure a full refund for this needy reader, but it wasn’t easy.
You said:
“Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Exceptionally researched and executed. Turning the report of the fine print of the companies involved against them was an expert stroke, masterfully executed.” Daniel, Orion Nebula
Have you ever sat on an airplane seat and noticed, out of the corner of your eye… no, it’s too terrible …a bare foot crawling right next to the armrest? By the summer of 2023, travelers were overdue for an update on airline etiquette. Kristie Koerbel, a flight attendant for over 20 years, laid down the law.
You said:
“I just returned from MIA to EWR, which is about a 2 hour flight. I board first class, just settling into my seat and notice that the guy across the aisle in front of me has already taken off his sneakers and socks. Not only did he sit there without socks, but he also moved around the cabin and got up to use the bathroom without socks. Have people lost all sense of decorum?” Keep your feet covered, New York
Our annual list of destinations worth visiting has sparked wonder, surprise and heated discussion. Scroll through to find inspiration for a future trip or simply expand your world with armchair travel.
You said:
“I couldn’t travel much when I was young, but I could dream big. Eventually, I made some of those dreams come true. This type of article helps us dream and appreciate the wonderful diversity of this planet. “Life without big dreams seems empty.” Diane L Lewis, Chicago, Illinois.