Top 5 Destination Trends for 2020
1. Italy
Italy is always at the top of anyone’s bucket list for so many reasons. Italy embodies the sweet life; you can feed your passion for authentic regional cuisine and feast your eyes on Roman ruins and art by masters like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. From the cobblestoned streets of Florence to the panoramic views of Tuscany, the unrivaled Amalfi Coast to the dramatic Dolomites, the Venetian canals to the stunning beauty of Lake Como and Lake Garda – Italy is pure magic.
2. Greece
You'll love the sun-drenched islands, the whitewashed towns, and the mythic past that goes back forever. Enjoy the whitewashed dwellings of Mykonos, the historic ruins in Athens, the sun-soaked cafes on Crete, the famous views on Santorini, and the UNESCO-designated Old Town of Corfu. Greece has it all -- history, culture, beaches, and food and wine.
3. France
With more than 600 Michelin-starred restaurants and nearly two million acres of vineyards, France is a mecca for food and wine lovers. If you can tear yourself away from the table, you can tour the wineries of Bordeaux by bicycle, float over the fields of Champagne in a hot-air balloon, cruise the Riviera in a yacht, or view the luxurious chateaux of the Loire Valley from a riverboat. And of course, a stop in Paris, the City of Light, is a must.
4. Japan
Stroll beneath blossoming cherry trees in the spring, or slalom down the Japan Alps in the winter. Dance ‘til dawn in Tokyo’s rollicking clubs or bask in a hot-spring spa. Immerse yourself in history at Kyoto’s 17th century Katsura Imperial Villa and gardens or tour the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the god of love. For an unforgettable experience July through August, scale Mount Fuji by night and see the sunrise from Japan’s tallest peak. Japan is also hot this year, as the 2020 Olympics are taking place July 24 - August 9 in Tokyo.
5. Croatia
Since joining the EU and appearing in scenes from “Game of Thrones,” Croatia has been basking in the spotlight. Walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls overlooking the sapphire blue Adriatic. In seaside Split, wander the ancient Roman streets of Diocletian’s Palace, dating to 300 AD. Head to the Istrian Peninsula for more beaches, fishing villages, vineyards and olive groves, or head inland to Zagreb, a cultural capital with more than two dozen museums.
Top 5 Emerging Destinations for 2020
1. ANTARTICA
The coldest, driest continent on Earth with the highest average elevation, Antarctica is not a location with any actual residents, much less cities. But, that’s part of the reason it is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife you’ll ever see.
From November to March, visitors can travel through the Arctic Sound, a.k.a. Iceberg Alley, where you’ll see spectacular 10,000-year-old glaciers, their colors ranging from brilliant white to deep aquamarine. Also a must-see is the volcanic South Shetland Islands—Zodiac excursions get travelers close to the action to spot humpback whales and emperor penguins.
2. ICELAND
As the name implies, Iceland has plenty of ice. With 4,500 miles of glacier, there’s ample opportunity for guided hikes and ice climbs. It’s also home to the Þríhnúkagígur crater, offering the chance to enter a magma chamber big enough to hold the Statue of Liberty. For an overview of Iceland’s diversity, visit Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll find more glaciers, the Öræfajökull volcano, and Iceland’s tallest peak.
3. PORTUGAL
Portugal’s Douro Valley vineyards have served as the center of the port-wine industry for 400 years. But look beyond the bottom of your glass to discover the cliffs and beaches of the Algarve, the waterfalls and lakes of Peneda-Geres National Park, the gorges and peaks of Madeira, and the maze-like Moorish alleys of Lisbon. Feast on traditional salted codfish, or for your own fresh catch, ply waters teaming with sea bass, grouper, and salmon.
4. SCOTLAND
Cruise the Caledonian Canal, which connects several Scottish lakes, including Loch Ness. If you fail to find Nessie, Urquhart Castle’s lakeside ruins should banish any disappointment. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail to sample some of the world’s finest Scotch and bring your clubs for a round at one of Scotland’s renowned golf courses, such as St. Andrews. Hike through the Highlands, or head to the Hebrides or Orkneys for a quiet island retreat. Scotland is about the size of South Carolina, but that comparison is deceptive. The northernmost country in the United Kingdom, Scotland is crisscrossed by impassable mountains, deep valleys, large lochs and wide rivers, and very few roads actually running in a straight line. Distances are often misleading, and journey times need to be adjusted accordingly. Highlights of any visit include the two major cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as the scenery and long history of rural Scotland.
Whether you are interested in the Whisky trail, the Gin revival, Clan history, the beauty of the Highlands, or you are a fan of the hit series Outlander, Scotland should be on your bucket list.
5. MOROCCO
From Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara, this North African country ranks high on traveler wish lists. Here’s looking at you, Casablanca! The High Atlas Mountains provide great trekking, mountain biking, and more. Of course, Marrakech is always in fashion. Yves Saint Laurent made his second home there and fans can explore his gardens as well as the new Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.
Geographically, Morocco is made up of four different areas: the Sahara desert, with its Berber towns and oases; the Atlas and Rif Mountains, perfect for hikers; the plains, home to the imperial cities of Marrakesh and Fez; and finally, the sandy coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, graced by small beach towns and the cities of Rabat and Casablanca.