2023 In Review: The Highs and Lows of Travel

Looking back, 2023 was an incredible year, especially for my travels worldwide. It was the first year, that felt ‘normal’ again after nearly all pandemic restrictions were lifted. It was also my first year with solo travel. This article will capture some of my highs and lows of travel in 2023. 

Best Hotel Stay: JW Marriott Masai Mara

After booking the incredible deal for a 5-night stay on points in the brand new Marriott safari lodge in Kenya, I was happy to make the trip a reality in May. Everything was top-notch, from the impeccable service to the luxury ‘tents’ we stayed in. 

I was also finally able to spot a leopard, something we had not accomplished the prior summer in South Africa. Seeing the Big 5 again and again was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year. Overall, it was an all-around, incredible experience. 

Worst Hotel Stay: Somewhere in Moshi, Tanzania

While I had booked the first half of our Africa adventures, including the incredible JW Marriott mentioned above, I left my friend to book some of our other stays. I absolutely loved Moshi and my time around Kilimanjaro. However, from stained sheets to worrying about food poisoning, I cannot recommend the property. It was so unremarkable; in fact, I had completely forgotten the name.

Best Flight: Etihad First Class

Imagine my excitement when I arrived at airport check-in late, worried about making the flight, when I was surprised with a complimentary upgrade to Etihad First Class! While I was already excited about simply being in business class on an incredible Middle Eastern carrier, the flight ended up being my all-time favorite from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH).

It was my first time being asked if I wanted to change into pajamas while my bed was made. It was also the first time I had ever tried caviar. Overall, incredible experience from takeoff to landing, and then even more in the first class lounge in Abu Dhabi. 

Worst Flight: Lufthansa Economy

While I likely think my worst experience on board an aircraft in 2023 was flying Air Asia to Bali (which I would do again at the right price), my Lufthansa experience was undoubtedly a low point. 

As an avgeek, the idea of flying on the upper deck of my first-ever 747 flight was fantastic. I had booked into Lufthansa’s business upstairs. While not the best product in the sky, walking up a flight of stairs in flight would have been incredible. Unfortunately, when I went to the board, I was involuntarily downgraded to economy. Not only that, I was stuck in a middle seat in the economy. 

Lufthansa economy was a solid experience. However, I was very disappointed not to make it upstairs or get any sleep on the flight. It was especially poor as they were not willing to compensate. 

Reader’s Choice: Most Popular Article of 2023

2023 was an incredible year for Nonstop Points, including many great opportunities. In my reflection on last year, I felt important to capture the most popular article I wrote: Booking 38 Hours in Business Class for $170.

As one of my favorite travel deals of the year, I am thrilled that so many readers found the tips and tricks I used to secure the booking helpful! Hopefully, I can do the same next time I return to Africa. 

The Last Point

I truly enjoyed covering my experiences exploring last year, and I hope that the content was helpful in your own experiences. Through the highs and lows of travel, I had an incredible time and made many memories I will not forget.