Are you getting the itch to start planning an international trip this year? Have you got your eye on a destination already, or do you need a bit of inspiration to guide you? Let us suggest five great international destinations that are some of the best places to visit in 2023, according to Forbes.
To commemorate this special journey, you can purchase a beautiful international wood map that shows the area you visited. Wood Chart’s 3D wood maps of the world are precisely laser-cut into beautiful Baltic birch. These nautical maps show the location’s topography and the surrounding bodies of water in stunning detail.
5 Great Places to Visit This Year:
- Italy
- France
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Norway
Italy Is for Food Lovers
Always a favorite international travel destination, Italy offers more than just Rome, Venice, and Milan. Lecce, Italy, should make it on your travel bucket list because of its glimpse into the authentic Italian way of life. Food lovers can enjoy the traditional Lecce Puglia cuisine and even take a cooking class to learn how to make the local food.
Mark your trip to Lecce with our striking world wood map of Italy that shows “The Boot” in all its glory. When company comes over, you can point out Lecce in the “heel” of Italy and also show the other cities you’ve visited thanks to the nautical map’s precisely etched names and locations.
Escape to Peaceful France
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, you can rest in beautiful Provence, France. In Provence, you can explore pleasant villages, pastoral farms, and old wineries to your heart’s content. Make sure to visit the nearby 18th-century farmhouse, Le Mas des Poiriers, on an island in the Rhône River.
Look back on your time in Provence with a world wood map depicting all of Western Europe. France is the area’s largest country, so it is easy to point out on this beautifully detailed nautical map made of high-quality Baltic birch. The hand-stained deep blue or greenish blue water stands out against the light wood color that shows through on the land.
A Japanese Island for the Artsy Types
While many people may first think of Tokyo in relation to Japan, the island of Naoshima is a calmer, community-based area that is great for creative souls to visit. It offers beautiful scenery along with striking contemporary art and architecture in several notable places like the Chichu Art Museum, Valley Gallery Art Site, and the Benesse House. Do not miss seeing the island’s famous yellow pumpkin sculpture that has been there since 1994 (excluding a brief gap and reinstallation after typhoon damage in 2022).
Our wood maps of the world include a wood chart of Japan and Korea that would be perfect for remembering your trip to Naoshima, Japan. You can choose a nautical map where the water is hand-stained either a greenish-blue color (with a dark brown frame) or a greyish-blue color (with a rustic grey frame). The laser-etched wood art is protected by acrylic glass.
Adventurers Have a Lot to Explore in New Zealand
This year, a great city to visit is Queenstown, New Zealand, which is known as the adventure capital of the world. You can experience so much in Queenstown —beautiful scenery, great food and wine, and outdoor adventures at the surrounding mountain range, The Remarkables, and lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Of course, “Lord of the Rings” fans should plan a tour of Middle Earth!
One of our wood maps of the world shows the island of New Zealand in beautiful detail. This large wood nautical map features laser-cut layers of Baltic birch that are specially glued together to portray the depth of land and sea. Points of interest are laser-etched into the wood, and you can choose either a dark or grey solid wood frame.
Spot Arctic Creatures in Stunning Norway
If you are looking for a challenge, Svalbard, Norway, is a must-see location that is more difficult to access: it is considered one of the last undeveloped places on Earth. Wildlife lovers and adventurers can experience seeing creatures such as walruses, Arctic foxes, seals, reindeer, and polar bears. Don’t miss out on seeing the impressive structure of the Global Seed Vault (from a distance — it is not open to the public).
You certainly won’t forget your visit to beautiful Norway anytime soon, but mark your memorable trip with a 3D world wood map of Scandinavia. This nautical map shows the countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The beautiful wood map shows the topography and bathymetry of the seas and gulfs around the Scandinavian nations and arrives at your home ready to hang.
Why Buy Wood Maps of the World
You have planned your exciting international trip for the year, and you have some beautiful nautical maps available to you. Now, why should you jump in and buy yourself one of these gorgeous wood charts? Well, these wood maps of the world are not your average, two-dimensional map — these nautical maps are three-dimensional, topographical works of art that show the depth and detail of the area’s land and water.
These 3D nautical maps bring striking depth and intrigue to your wall that you — and your friends — will want to get up close and study. The 3D maps are made by transferring bathymetric readings to a laser cutter, cutting the birch layers, applying a special glue, hand-staining the water, and laser-engraving the final details. Finally, the wood map is fitted in a custom wood frame.
3 Good Reasons to Buy a Wood Map of the World:
Commemorate a special trip to an international destination
Give a unique, hand-crafted gift to a friend or family member
Decorate your home with a wood map of an area you love or have lived in
Display Nautical Maps to Remember Your Travels
Just imagine it — this year, you traveled to Naoshima, Japan, and stood in awe of the renowned yellow pumpkin sculpture. Now, hanging on your wall, is a stunningly detailed, hand-stained international wood map depicting Japan. Every time you walk past this art piece on your wall, you stop, smile, and remember the beauty of the yellow pumpkin.
And you can’t wait to plan your next international adventure, which obviously means you’ll need another Wood Chart 3D nautical map to commemorate it!