As the year draws to a close now is the perfect time to start planning your travels for next year. So, where will 2020 take you? I’ve put together a list of seven countries which I think won’t disappoint. So what are you waiting for? Get exploring and start ‘Doinit’.
1. Georgia
Visitor numbers to Georgia have been growing, and with good reason. Georgia boasts spectacular scenery, a rich culture and really friendly folk; all at a reasonable price. With so many attractions, it’s a little surprising that they haven’t yet learnt how to rip tourists off, making this an excellent budget destination catering for all. Foodies, outdoorsy types, Soviet enthusiasts, off-the-beaten-trackers and even beach goers would all do well with a visit to Georgia in 2020.
2. Colombia
Pablo Escobar is long gone, so it’s a little sad that his legacy seems to still overshadow this country. You don’t have to be a Narcos fan to visit Colombia (yet plenty do). Infamous drug kingpins aside, Colombia offers would be visitors a diverse experience. There’s bustling Bogota and colonial Cartagena among the most famous of cities where one can salsa the night away. There’s also jungles, rain forests, beaches and of course the Andes mountain range making this a dream destination for any outdoorsy person.
3. Bhutan
The picturesque natural beauty of this Himalayan kingdom is legendary. The culture and traditions are well preserved in all aspects of life here giving travelers a truly unique experience. Interestingly, Bhutan is now the World’s only carbon negative country and by 2020 it is expected all agriculture will be completely organic! But this comes at a price; all tourists must pay $250 dollars a day for the privilege of a visit, upfront; in order to get a visa. With no sign of this fee falling, perhaps 2020 is the year you crack open your piggy bank and go on an adventure of a lifetime to the country which measure it’s progress by Gross National Happiness!
4. Greenland
With the USA wanting to buy Greenland to do God knows what with it and climate change taking its toll on our polar regions, perhaps 2020 is the year for your visit to Greenland. Whether you visit in the summer or winter months, you’ll be treated to magnificent scenery and wildlife as you immerse yourself in the Arctic wilderness.
5. New Caledonia
While technically a part of France, things might be about to change on this Pacific Island as an independence referendum has been scheduled for September 2020. So, if walking on pristine white beaches, swimming with turtles or sailing into the sunset isn’t your thing, then perhaps witnessing the birth of a new independent nation is reason enough to visit in 2020.
6. Bosnia
Travel to the Balkans has exploded in recent years but if you want to get away from the crowds then Bosnia is the place for you. With its rich yet complex history it’s a real fusion of East and West, Ottoman and Christian. Watch divers jump of Stari Bridge in Mostar, enjoy the café culture in Sarajevo while absorbing the colossal significance at the spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, triggering the events leading to the First World War. Head into the country side for some hiking and white water rafting in one of Europe’s deepest canyons.
7. Saudi Arabia
“My Kingdom will survive only insofar as it remains a country difficult to access, where the foreigner will have no other aim, with his task fulfilled, but to get out” said King Abdul Aziz bin Saud. Well this no longer appears to be case in the 21st Century. Perhaps it’s the realisation that oil will run out and Saudi will have to look towards a new means of revenue; enter the tourism industry. This year, Saudi launched its ambitious tourism campaign so if you can forget about the questionable human rights record, and afford the $199 eVisa, then why not be one of the first tourists to visit this once forbidden kingdom.
