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Atacama Desert Stargazing Tops Travel+Leisure's 2023 Dream Travel Survey
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 11:34 GMT by Travel + Leisure- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Travel + Leisure’s 2023 “Top Dream Travel Experiences” Survey – A 500‑Word Overview
Travel + Leisure recently released the results of its most ambitious travel‑research project yet: a global online survey that asked more than 20,000 respondents what they considered their “dream” travel experiences. The article, which ran on the magazine’s website in early July, pulls together the raw data, the stories behind the numbers, and practical tips for readers who want to turn their bucket‑list fantasies into reality. Below is a concise but comprehensive recap of what the magazine found, how the survey was carried out, and the ten experiences that topped the list.
1. Survey Methodology
The research was conducted between January and April 2023 and involved 21,378 participants from 73 countries. Respondents were asked to pick a single destination or activity that would be their “ultimate” travel experience if money and time were no object. They could then explain their choice in a short comment box.
Travel + Leisure split the data into three key demographics – age, income and travel style – to see whether millennials, Gen‑Z or older travelers had different “dream” priorities. The survey was administered in English, Spanish, French and German, and the results were weighted to reflect the global population of frequent travelers.
2. How the Numbers Translated into a List
The final ranking was based on three factors:
- Frequency of selection – how many people chose a given experience.
- Sentiment score – derived from the text comments; highly positive words (“unforgettable”, “once‑in‑a‑lifetime”) carried more weight.
- Accessibility index – an internal metric that considered how easily the destination could be reached (airfare, visa, language barriers).
These three components were blended to produce the final “Top Dream Travel Experiences” list.
3. The Top Ten Dream Experiences
| Rank | Dream Experience | Why It Resonates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stargazing in the Atacama Desert, Chile | The sheer clarity of the night sky and the sense of standing in a place no one else can see. |
| 2 | African Safari in Tanzania (Serengeti + Ngorongoro) | Classic wildlife spectacle, cultural immersion with Maasai, and a “raw” connection to nature. |
| 3 | Northern Lights in Iceland | A mix of wonder (aurora borealis), rugged landscapes, and the thrill of a super‑natural phenomenon. |
| 4 | Hot‑Air Balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey | A gentle, awe‑inducing rise over fairy‑tale rock formations. |
| 5 | Sailing the Greek Islands | Combination of sun, sea, history, and the freedom of a private yacht. |
| 6 | Skiing the Alps (Switzerland/France/Italy) | World‑class slopes, alpine hospitality, and the “winter wonderland” aesthetic. |
| 7 | Road‑trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, USA | Iconic drive, dramatic coastlines, and a mix of Californian and Oregonian culture. |
| 8 | Cultural Immersion in Kyoto, Japan | Traditional tea houses, temples, and the chance to live like a Japanese resident. |
| 9 | Cruise to Antarctica | Exclusive, rarely‑experienced, and an adventure that feels both epic and personal. |
| 10 | Overwater villa in the Maldives | Ultra‑luxury, privacy, crystal‑clear waters, and a romantic getaway. |
Editorial Note: Travel + Leisure’s own travel editor, Elena Martinez, added that “the top experiences blend awe, culture, and a bit of luxury, showing that our generation still craves the extraordinary.”
4. A Closer Look at a Few Standouts
Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
The Atacama is the world’s driest non‑polar desert, with 280 days of clear skies each year. The survey respondents were drawn to its ability to feel “otherworldly.” The article links to a dedicated Travel + Leisure guide that lists the best star‑seeing tours, recommended camps, and tips for packing a DSLR camera.
African Safari in Tanzania
Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater were highlighted for their “life‑changing” wildlife encounters. The accompanying Travel + Leisure link offers a side‑by‑side comparison of luxury lodges versus community‑run conservancies, helping readers choose an experience that aligns with their values.
Sailing the Greek Islands
Respondents loved the combination of sea, sun and ancient history. The article goes a step further by linking to an interactive itinerary generator that lets travelers pick their ideal islands, ranging from Mykonos to Crete, and matches them with the best time of year to sail.
5. Themes that Emerged
- Nature + Wonder: Many of the top ten hinge on natural phenomena—auroras, stargazing, wildlife—underscoring a universal craving for connection to the planet’s wonders.
- Cultural Depth: The list includes two culturally immersive destinations (Kyoto, Greek Islands), indicating a shift from “tourist” to “authentic” experiences.
- Accessibility & Luxury Balance: While the safari and Antarctica are logistically demanding, the survey still favored them, suggesting that travelers are willing to pay extra for exclusivity. Conversely, the Pacific Coast Highway and the Atacama were chosen for being attainable yet still extraordinary.
6. How to Make Your Dream Experience a Reality
Travel + Leisure’s article doesn’t stop at statistics; it turns the data into a roadmap. For each top experience, the magazine offers:
- When to Go: Seasonal highlights, weather considerations, and peak tourist times.
- How to Book: Best booking portals, travel agencies that specialize in the niche, and discount‑alert tips.
- What to Pack: A checklist tailored to each environment—solar‑powered gear for the Atacama, a travel‑size sunscreen for the Greek Islands, or a multi‑layered winter pack for the Alps.
- Budget Planner: A ballpark cost breakdown for flights, accommodation, activities, and local experiences.
7. Take‑Away Insight
The survey’s biggest insight is that dream experiences are as much about storytelling as they are about the destination itself. The article’s editors note that many respondents framed their choices in narrative terms (“I want to see the stars in the same place where my great‑grandparents once lived”). The trend indicates that future travel marketing should lean heavily on emotional narratives—“see the aurora that guided my ancestors” rather than just “watch the aurora.”
8. Bottom Line
Travel + Leisure’s “Top Dream Travel Experiences” article gives readers a data‑driven snapshot of what people truly yearn for when they can plan without constraints. From the star‑lit Atacama to the turquoise waters of the Maldives, the list reflects a world of adventure that balances natural wonder, cultural depth, and luxury. And for the curious planner, the article’s embedded guides and itineraries provide a practical next step—turning a dream on the page into a passport stamp in a few weeks.
Read the full article and dive deeper into each destination via the embedded links on the Travel + Leisure website.
Read the Full Travel + Leisure Article at:
[ https://www.travelandleisure.com/top-dream-travel-experiences-survey-11846842 ]
