12 Best Places to Visit in 2020

Our picks of destinations to discover this year

New decade, new you… new dream vacation plans! We’re here to help you dream big with our breakdown of the top 12 bucket-list worthy places you should discover this year.
 

1. Barbados

Rihanna’s homeland, named for the bearded fig trees that once thrived here

In 2020, a year-long festival named We Gatherin’ takes over the island, calling all Bajans and Barbados enthusiasts to return to this brilliant Caribbean nation for a celebration of its rich culture and heritage. Expect colourful parades, soca parties and tons of Bajan treats around some of the world’s best beaches.

2. Cartagena

The walled (UNESCO-protected) colonial keep of Colombia’s Caribbean coast

Cartagena livens up beach breaks with gorgeous, colourful architecture, the best foodie scene in Colombia, and epic excursions to the paradisiac archipelago of the Rosario Islands or the wild jungles of Tayrona National Park. Check out more reasons to travel to Cartagena this year right here.

3. Aruba

Beaches aside, it’s a hotspot for ancient indigenous cave art

Nicknamed One Happy Island, Aruba is bound to fill the new year with good vibes only… and 365 days of perfect weather. Claim your slice of happiness on one of its legendary beaches, in the spirited towns of Oranjestad and San Nicolas, or around the natural wonders of Arikok National Park (where you’ll find prehistoric rock drawings!).

4. Samaná

The Dominican Republic’s wild side: a picture-perfect peninsula

One of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets hides in one of its most popular destinations. This Dominican peninsula harbours laid-back surf towns, the country’s most unspoiled beaches, dense tropical rainforests and a beautiful bay that welcomes migrating humpback whales from January to March. Pro-tip: read our travel guide for top Samaná activities!

5. Los Cabos

A sublime string of resorts between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo

We all know and love Mexico’s famed east coast, where Cancún reigns supreme, but this year, we’re veering off the beaten path to the country’s stunning Baja California peninsula. Here, luxurious seaside sanctuaries are scattered between two of Mexico’s best coastal towns, surrounded by its most impressive landscapes.

6. Martinique

European flair meets Caribbean scenery on the Isle of Flowers

With a nickname evoking a fragrant, tropical landscape perpetually in bloom, Martinique mystifies the senses. Imagine miles of serene, white-sand beaches, a verdant volcano dotted with hot springs, and vibrant, French-influenced culture and cuisine. Plus, Martinique is the perfect starting point for cruises exploring other Caribbean gems like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados!

7. Puglia

Yum, olive oil mecca: most of Italy’s EVOO is from here

Puglia (also known as Apulia) graces Italy’s heel with postcard-perfect villages and a countryside coloured by sprawling olive groves. Explore ancient towns defined by cone-shaped stone houses and UNESCO-protected cave dwellings before tucking into the region’s star attraction… the food!

8. Bordeaux

A world wine capital with an art scene as rich as its history of vintners

While wine aficionados flock here for the legendary vineyards, Bordeaux also delights history buffs, art lovers, and foodies. Elegant architecture abounds (half the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) and trendy cultural centres revive former warehouses along the river. It’s enough to keep you very busy between dégustations, especially if you’re in town for this summer’s biennial Bordeaux Wine Festival.
 

9. Galway

This year’s European Capital of Culture and Ireland’s most bohemian city

2020 promises to be a pretty epic year for this gorgeous gem of a city over on Ireland’s west coast. Its prestigious new title comes with a year-long, jam-packed calendar of events, making it one of the most important cultural festivals ever held in Ireland. Join the multitude of local, national, and international artists celebrating Galway and its surrounding county this year!

10. Folegandros

Greece’s last unspoiled island playground

A cliffside village adorned with whitewashed houses, dreamy outdoor tavernas and a maze of tiny streets, an idyllic, terraced landscape of quiet farmlands, and rocky paths leading to secret beaches—this is just a sample of what awaits you on Folegandros, the Cyclades’ tiny, but undeniably charming, hidden gem.
 

11. Canadian Rockies

Arguably, the most famous mountain range on earth

From carving your way down snowy slopes to hiking up summits for incomparable mountain views, the Canadian stretch of the Rocky Mountains is one of our favourite four-season travel destinations. Best explored from the national parks of Jasper and Banff, don’t wait another year to tick it off your bucket list!

12. Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort

Theme-park paradise par excellence

Why stick to this planet only? Travel all the way to a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Orlando. Walt Disney World Resort’s all-new land lets you fly the Millenium Falcon, join the Resistance and make your own lightsaber. If that’s not the perfect way to kick off a new decade, then what is?

What’s next?

How many destinations will you be able to explore this year? The earlier you start planning, the better! With our travel deals, booking early helps you save on vacation packages to our sunniest destinations.

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