15 Holiday Destinations You Need To Visit In 2020
- 1/16
15 Holiday Destinations You Need To Visit In 2020
2019 is drawing to a close, so naturally - as this cold, British weather sets in - we're starting to think about the alluring destinations we can visit next year.
While 2019 was all about the south of Italy, Mykonos and France, some vastly different places have been suggested by top travel experts for the places to be next year.
According to experts like The Travel Corporation (TTC) and Booking.com, next year, travellers will be considering sustainability, the chance to slow down and opting for the lesser-known, second-tier destinations rather than the obvious city or resort.
As Arjan Dijk, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com says: 'As we enter a new decade, we’ll see the travel industry respond to a more sustainable, inquisitive and technologically-advanced traveller through the development of products, services and functions that make it easier for everyone to experience the world.
'From identifying second cities to help combat over-tourism, to providing ever-more tailored travel recommendations and ensuring the most diverse selection of places to stay for customers across the globe, we want to ensure travellers are prepared, supported and excited by the prospect of travel into 2020 and far beyond.'
With this in mind, here's a list of the places the experts are suggesting you visit next year and the destinations rapidly appearing on people's 2020 bucket list:
- 2/16
16) Salzburg, Austria
Rated as the number one city destination in the world to visit this year by Lonely Planet, the home to The Sound Of Music is bursting with cultural and historic monuments like the Mozart museum. There is also a bike tour where you can recreate the steps of the famous musical.
bluejayphoto - Getty Images - 3/16
2) Bhutan
Why for 2020: Topping Lonely Planet's 'Best In Travel for 2020' is the kingdom of Bhutan. As well as its rich culture and history, the country has been awarded the number one spot as it is the only carbon-negative country in the world and is set to be the first fully organic nation by next year.
Bhutan also operates a tourist fee to curb any negative effects of tourism, charging around £195 per day for visitors.
Top Tips: Any visit to Bhutan must be organised through an authorised travel agent in advance, so that can be handy for tips! Lonely Planet recommends mountain hikes through the monastry-ladened hills, witnessing ancient Buddhist traditions and basking in the country's natural beauty all while enjoying what nature has to offer, unspoiled by the negative effects of tourism.
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- 4/16
3) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Why for 2020: Next year, the city will be the host for the Democrat National Convention (DNC) where the party will select its nominees for President and Vice President to take on Trump in the 2020 election which will bring renewed focus to the city. This is one of the reasons, according to Airbnb, to explain why there has been a whopping 729% year-on-year increase in people searching for accommodation in the city.
Top tips: The booking platform says the city's impressive bar and restaurant scene often 'slips under the radar' but should not be overlooked. The city is also home to cultural attractions like the city's art museum and sits on the shores of Lake Michigan so offers plenty of opportunities for water sports. For any avid cyclists, the city offers 105 miles of scenic bike lanes with plenty of rental stores to pick up a bicycle tool.
- 5/16
4) Tokyo, Japan
Why for 2020: Though there's arguably been buzz over Japan's capital city in 2019 as it hosts the rugby world cup, there's going to be an even bigger spotlight on the city next year when it is home to the 2020 summer Olympics.
Top tips: There's so much to do in Tokyo, from the historic temples like Sensō-ji and Meiji-jingu to the bustling modern cities and buildings including the Skytree and tower to the instantly recognisable Shibuya crossing. It's also home to incredible food (if you like matcha, you're in for a treat) and great karaoke.
- 6/16
5) Nicaragua
Why for 2020: After a couple of years of political unrest in the country, the foreign office dropped its travel restrictions for UK visitors (it previously advised against all but essential travel to the central American country) in February 2019.
While the FCO still advises travellers exercise caution as 'the situation is now quieter but remains unpredictable', the experts at Original Travel say this change in FCO guidance may encourage more people to visit the country.
Top tips: As the tour guides advise, 'Nicaragua has everything that we love so much about Costa Rica, but with fewer tourists and more space to get off the beaten track'. They recommend heading to the city of Granada which is set on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and lied with pastel coloured baroque buildings. For the adrenaline junkies, head to Omitabe island where you can scale one of the two volcanoes.
Explore flights, accommodation and things to do in Nicaragua
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- 7/16
6) Istanbul, Turkey
Why for 2020: The fact that the Champions League Final will be held in the Turkish in May will bring renewed spotlight to the city.
Top Tips: Tick off a visit to the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque, take a boat ride across the Bosphorus, indulge in a spot of vintage shopping and then head to a rooftop restaurant for views across the city and experience the call to prayer.
In terms of when to visit, Expedia recommends May as it's much cooler.
- 8/16
7) Tbilisi, Georgia
Why for 2020: According to trend forecaster's WGSN, Georgia - and specifically the capital Tbilisi is likely to be big for 2020. Joe McDonnell, head of WGSN insight, puts this down to a number of factors including the increasing notoriety of Tbilisi Fashion Week (and the street style that comes with it), nightclubs attracting top electronic talent such as Basiani, coupled 'with a burgeoning art scene and swelling youth movement'.
Top Tips: It's accessible from London in just over four hours, which is ideal. Travel experts TTC add that Tbilisi is 'fast becoming one of the coolest cities on the continent and won't stay so secret for long'. They suggest also expanding beyond the capital to visit snow-capped mountains, tasting the local wine and taking part in a Georgian bread making class.
- 9/16
8) Jeju Island, South Korea
Why for 2020: The experts at Booking.com have scouted out South Korea and, in particular, spots on Jeju Island like Seogwipo as an emerging destination to visit next year.
Top Tips: Jeju island is an area of natural beauty with a volcanic coastline and impressive waterfalls like Jeonbang (pictured) and Cheonjiyon Falls. A destination well suited to the active traveller, activities on offer include hiking up Mount Hallasan, scuba diving, and swimming is the island's second largest city, Seogwipo. Booking.com also recommends Olle Market for street food and fresh produce and downtown Seogwipo for traditional Korean restaurants.
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- 10/16
9) Edinburgh, Scotland
Why in 2020: The Scottish capital will be getting a luxury update in 2020 when the Red Carnation Hotels group renovates 100 Princes Street and opens the sister hotel to London's Hotel 41 (it will be the first of the group's Scottish hotels too). The hotel will boast views of Edinburgh Castle and will be an 'exclusive retreat' on the city's famous street.
Top tips: Edinburgh is a beautiful city with must-sees including the aforementioned castle (touring it with an audio guide is recommended too), climb up Arthur's Seat for unparalleled views of the city, stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and, at night, experience the atmosphere of places like The Dome, The Witchery and The Outsider restaurants. Head to the city in August for the world famous Fringe festival if comedy and plays are your thing.
- 11/16
10) Krakow, Poland
Why for 2020: Next year marks a poignant anniversary for the museum of Auschwitz - 70 years since the Nazi concentration camp was liberated, which will be commemorated at the end of January, and is likely to see hundreds of people come to pay their respects. The city of Krakow is just an hour and a half away from the museum.
Top tips: While in the city of Krakow, itself, there's a lot to explore. The Main Square is a beautiful central location as is the Cloth market hall, St Mary's Basilica and Wawel Castle. The city has also garnered a reputation for its exciting nightlife complete with plenty of bars and clubs.
- 12/16
11) Bilbao, Spain
Why in 2020: Ever since winning the European City of the Year in 2018, the city of Bilbao as been an emerging destination to watch. Next summer, the city will be one of the 12 European cities to host the UEFA Euros competition which will bring the city both a lot of visitors and attention. All this explains why it's Airbnb's second highest trending destination for 2020, with a YOY increase of 402%.
Top tips: Take a wander down the Ria de Bilbao (you can also take boat rides down the actual river) and walk over the many famous bridges the Basque city has to offer. Bilbao is also home to many museums, including the world famous Guggenheim and Fine Arts museum, and pintxos small plates tapas bars for scrumptious traditional food. There's also an old fashioned cable railway which takes you up to Mount Artxanda for panoramic views of the city.
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- 13/16
12) Aruba
Why for 2020: Ranked fourth on Lonely Planet's Best In Travel guide is the Caribbean nation of Aruba. For those considering the environment and sustainability for their 2020 holiday, Aruba could well be the choice for you. The country is a testing hub for other destinations' renewable energy solutions and is working to ban single-use plastics and reef-destroying sunscreens next year.
Top tips: The pictures of the island speak for themselves. Think white beaches, clear blue waters and pink sunsets, so if it's a paradise destination you're after, Aruba could well be your place. Lonely Planet also recommends the southern hub of San Nicolas aka the Sunrise City which is experiencing a cultural revival in the form of street are, pop-ups and festivals.
- 14/16
13) Romania
Why for 2020: According to Airbnb, interest in visiting the eastern European country is up 298% year on year. This might be due to the country's easy access from the UK, the fact it's pretty affordable or, for those considering the environment when travelling, its ranking 15th in the world for ecosystem vitality.
Top tips: The charming capital city of Bucharest (which will also be a hot city for the Euros) has a lot to offer, from grand buildings - like the parliament palace built by former dictator Ceausescu - to the brilliant restaurants and buzzing nightlife. From the city, you can head down the coast to the Black Sea beach resort of Mamaia for a spot of sunshine or up to the picturesque mountains and forests, Romania is full of variety and has something on offer for everyone.
- 15/16
14) Washington DC, USA
Why for 2020: There's big things happening in the US capital next year. Firstly, from around mid-way through the year until November, the city will be abuzz with the 2020 presidential election - which will see Trump try to keep his seat in the Oval office against a Democrat candidate.
Secondly, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which extended the right to vote to women. Lonely Planet have ranked the city second on its' Best In Travel list largely for this reason, explaining that a range of museums will host exhibitions to tell the story of the American suffrage movement.
Top tips: Of course, there's the land marks. The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol building, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Institute, the list goes on. The city also has a thriving food scene, including the Union Market, and in some of the spring months beautiful natural cherry blossom lines the streets.
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- 16/16
15) eSwatini (Swaziland)
Why for 2020: According to Lonely Planet (who have placed the country fifth on its Best In Travel - Countries list), a brand new international airport and improved road infrastructure are all helping to draw in more visitors for next year. Last year, the country was also renamed by the king from Swaziland to eSwatini.
Top tips: The country's location in southern Africa make it ideal for safaris and visiting nature reserves where you'll come incredibly close to the remarkable wildlife. Lonely Planet also suggests even more activities, from zip lining to trekking to whitewater rafting.
Now, where did we put our passports?
