Fresh ideas
Travel inspiration and ideas on where to go for 2020. A new year and the start of a brand-new decade offers a host of fresh travel possibilities!
With so much information now available at your fingertips, our travel options seem to be endless. And with so much choice, it can be tricky to work out where you want to go and what you would like to do on holiday. So, with the help of travel experts Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel, here are lists of wonderful countries, vibrant cities and varied regions and best value destinations. They might inspire your travel ideas for 2020.
Lonely Planet produces excellent travel guides and advice and is a good reference point for finding out more about a particular destination.
At Ultimate Destinations, we are passionate about travel in all its different guises. We take time to understand what you are looking for when booking your holiday. And offer you detailed first-hand experience and knowledge about many destinations, worldwide. We travel whenever we get the opportunity and in the past year, we’ve visited Singapore, the Maldives, Thailand, the Peloponnese Penninsula in Greece and California. We’ve spent time in the Seychelles, Dubai, Canada, Barbados and Grenada. And we’ve been to sea on some wonderful cruise ships – the MSC Bellisima, Silversea’s Silver Spirit, the Celebrity Edge and Fred Olson’s Balmoral.
Where next in 2020? These “Best in Travel” guides from Lonely Planet certainly offer plenty of inspiration and travel ideas, right around the globe.
Countries to visit in 2020
Recommendations from Lonely Planet’s on their top 10 countries to visit in 2020:
- Bhutan. Tucked away in the Himalayas, this tiny country charges travellers to pay a high daily fee to explore its hills and trails. A leader in sustainability, it is the world’s only carbon-negative country and due to the traveller fee, will remain uncrowded.
- England. Lonely Planet’s focus is on our coastline and coastal path. At nearly 3,000 miles long, it is the longest continuous trail of its kind in the world and attracts walkers from all over the world.
- North Macedonia. A tiny nation in the heart of the Balkans & well known for its food, history and nature.
- Aruba. Southern Caribbean island – lots of all-inclusive resorts, a sweet capital – Oranjestad. Off the beaten track, you will find uncrowded beaches, clear waters and beautiful views.
- eSwatini (Swaziland). One of southern Africa’s most underrated and least touristy destinations. Beautiful landscapes, parks and reserves, colourful culture and a warm welcome.
- Costa Rica. Amazing biodiversity and a leader in sustainable tourism. Jungle, cloud forest, volcanoes and stunning coastline combine to offer stunning travel experiences.
- The Netherlands. 2020 marks 75 years since the end of World War Two and the Netherlands is planning celebrations across the country. With an excellent train network and over 35,000 kilometres of cycle paths, getting around this tiny country is easy.
- Liberia. Home to the second-largest area of primary rainforest in West Africa. It, along with beautiful beaches and excellent surf, make this African country a little known gem.
- Morocco. Rich in heritage, Morocco will be crowned Africa’s first Capital of Culture in 2020. Transport has improved and better roads and Africa’s first high-speed train running from Casablanca to Tangier, making it easier to explore. And with mountain villages, deserted Atlantic beaches and desert outposts, you can easily get off the beaten track.
- Uruguay. It boasts 660 kilometres of coastline, a thriving wine industry, hot springs and open rolling rangelands. This South American country offers something for everyone. A beautiful destination where you will receive a warm welcome.
Top Cities to Visit in 2020:
- Salzburg. Austria’s alpine cultural capital.
- Washington DC. Plenty doing on here in 2020 with the background of a presidential election.
- Cairo, Egypt. 2020 sees the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, home to an amazing collection of ancient Egypt’s history.
- Galway, Ireland. Lively, vibrant and rich in culture; the region of Galway is a 2020 European Capital of Culture. The calendar is packed with activities throughout the year.
- Bonn, Germany. Music takes centre place this year as the city marks Beethoven’s 250th birthday.
- La Paz, Bolivia. Home to the world’s largest cable car system, La Paz is steadily developing into a culinary and culturally rich destination.
- Kochi, India. On the Malabar Coast in Kerala, Kochi is leading the way in renewable energy. With cafes, colonial-era backstreets and galleries, it has a rich cultural vibe.
- Vancouver, Canada. Environmentally focused, this lovely city is stunningly located on the Pacific coast with a vista out over forested mountains.
- Dubai, UAE. A city thriving on firsts and superlatives – bold, modern, vibrant.
- Denver, USA. Located bang in the middle of North America, this city, with its mountainous backdrop, is on the up. Home to great food, a lively cultural and social scene. Hiking, skiing and wilderness all accessible within a two-hour drive.
Regions to visit in 2020
From the familiar to the undiscovered, these varied regions might just spark fresh travel ideas for 2020:
- Central Asian Silk Road. One of history’s most famed travel routes, full of adventure.
- Le Marche, Italy. Neighbouring to Tuscany, this beautiful region of Italy, home to Raphael, is just as varied but without the footfall.
- Tohoku, Japan. This region in the northeast of Japan is home to dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, a long cultural heritage, good food and a warm welcome.
- Maine, USA. Celebrating 200 years since this state was founded, Maine, the biggest state in New England has a wonderful foodie scene. Marvel at its dramatic coastline dotted with iconic lighthouses and there are plenty of trails to explore in densely forested locations.
- Lord How Island, Australia. Tropical, World Heritage-listed beauty well off the beaten track. Located 600km off the New South Wales coastline, visitor numbers are limited and the island is sustainably managed.
- Guizhou Province, China. A province just starting to open up to the traveller.
- Cádiz Province. On the southern tip of Spain, this region is rich in centuries of culture and heritage and famous for its cuisine and sherry.
- Northeast Argentina – stunning waterfalls, a rich regional history and jaw-dropping wildlife watching make this area of South America a wildlife lover’s a “must-do”. Still offering good value for travellers in terms of accommodation and food.
- Kvarner Gulf, Croatia – less well known than Dalmatia and Istria, this area of the Croatian coast is well known for its cuisine. The gulf islands nearby create an additional draw with their Venetian-era architecture and beaches.
- Brazilian Amazon – sitting at the centre of our current climate crisis, the conservation of this green heart of the world is vital. Sustainable, thoughtful travel to this region will help provide a boost to both local communities and the national economy by emphasising the importance of its preservation.
Best Value in 2020
- East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. An overlooked region of Indonesia and home to pristine beaches and an excellent diving scene.
- Budapest, Hungary. Easy on your pocket but rich in interest.
- Madhya Pradesh, India. Wild-life spotting excursions without the crowds, temples and historic small towns.
- Buffalo, New York State, USA. Opening up as budget air routes add this city to their radars. There are lots to do and see with Niagara Falls just a 30 minutes bus ride away.
- Azerbaijan. Remote and unique, this country offers a low visiting cost for the quality of accommodation, activities and food on offer.
- Serbia. Barely discovered by travellers, this is a colourful European destination, rich in character and culture.
- Tunisia. Lonely Planet describes this country as a “wonderful place to first dip your toes into North Africa at a reasonable cost”. Rich in history, there are an endless range of beach options and the edge of the Sahara desert is within reach.
- Cape Winelands, South Africa. With a good exchange rate, this area of South Africa offers good value. Wineries and excellent restaurants amidst beautiful upland scenery.
- Athens, Greece. Brimming with ancient history, much of it accessible for free. Eating out is not expensive and a springboard for visits to many of the Greek islands.
- Zanzibar, Tanzania. An island of adventure off the west African coast. You can stay in beach-side accommodation here that is just as good as that of the Caribbean or Pacific Islands but at considerably less cost.
Call Us
Travel such a personal decision. And as we all have different tastes and interests, it is important to have the right travel information to hand when deciding where to go. We want you to be able to plan trips that meet and hopefully smash your expectations. In addition, with our status as an independent travel agent, we are able to shop around to find you the very best arrangements and prices.
So for travel ideas for 2020, ask Ultimate Destinations to help you on your way. Call 01923 284148 or drop us a line at info@ultimatedestinations.co.uk. Or call in for a chat – you’ll find us on Lower Road in Chorleywood. After all, the world truly is your oyster!
