The Ultimate List of Top Travel Destinations for 2020
A new year is upon us, and my travel bug is kicking in! I’ve been really lucky to go on some amazing trips, and I hope to be able to plan a few great ones in the New Year. Since I have a day job and am not a full-time blogger, I have to strategically plan my trips to make the most out of my very few vacation days. And like most people, I want to plan my trips around the seasons and weather in each country. The last thing I would want is to go all the way across the world and have my plans ruined by freezing temps or monsoon season! In the spirit of helping you get the most out of your year, here are my picks for the top travel destinations for 2020 based on the best time of year to visit!
I’m basing this list off travel hotspots, my past travel experience, my preference for warm and sunny weather, and, of course, budget! Feel free to weigh what is most important to you when choosing a destination. You may also want to consider when to visit each destination on your trip and if you are planning to travel alone or with friends or a significant other.
Best Places to Visit in January and February
If you want to kick off the year with a tropical vibe, check out Dominica! The island is less frequented than other Caribbean destinations but is supposed to be full of rich natural beauty, untouched landscapes, and drop-dead gorgeous beaches. If you’ve got more vacation days and a bigger budget, hit up Cape Town in South Africa! While the flight may set you back a pretty penny, everything is pretty affordable once you’re on the ground. The weather is perfect this time of year, and you’ll get a perfect blend of laid-back beach days and opportunities to explore the area’s rich culture and history.
If you want to embrace the frigid temps, Stowe, Vermont is a skier’s paradise this time of year. Another option for adventure lovers is Antarctica, where temperatures are more stable and the ice melts just enough for cruise ships to pass.
If Europe is more your speed and February is your timing, Venice is a must! Carnival should be on everyone’s bucket list. The city is incredible that time of year, but this trip requires plenty of pre-planning as hotels will be at peak capacity.
Spring Vacation Ideas for March, April, and May
Spring is a great time for some domestic exploring. I’ve been dying to make it to Washington DC for cherry blossom season forever, and Sedona, Arizona has been on my list for a while as well. It’s the perfect destination for a girl’s trip – wine, spas, and stunning scenery. And since I’m a Cali girl now, I will not be missing Coachella! This trip may not be for everyone, and I certainly never made the trip when I lived in New York. The cost of attending was just more than I was willing to commit. But if you live on the West Coast, it will be so much easier to attend and have a blast!
If you have your heart set on an international destination, late April to early May is the perfect time to go to Bali. The rainy season has started to dry up, but it’s before the peak crowds start to arrive. Bali has been trending for a while and shows no signs of slowing down.
Summer Vacation Ideas for June, July, August, and September
When it comes to top travel destinations for 2020, summer is all about beaches! While Europe will get a little crowded, I still can’t get enough of it. Croatia, Malta, Corsica, and Greece’s Hydra Island are all on my radar. Mykonos and Santorini have become so saturated, especially with the Instagram set. Hydra Island is an insider’s secret (for now!) and is just as stunning with half the traffic and tourist traps as the other islands.
Corsica is a small Mediterranean island between France and Italy and basically gets you the best of both worlds! It’s part of France but very culturally Italian. The island promises amazing cuisine, stunning views, beautiful rugged hikes, and perfect beaches. Malta is another Mediterranean island between Sicily and the Northern African Coast. I went years ago, and have been dying to go back. Valetta is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen, and the grottos and beaches beg to be explored. Malta is a very versatile destination. You can make this trip as lazy, cultural, or adventurous as you’d like!
Late June-August gets pretty packed and pretty pricey in most of these locations. September will be much more relaxed and affordable without sacrificing the weather.
Where to Go in for Fall 2020
If you didn’t make it to Europe this summer, fall is still a glorious time! Paris is stunning this time of year, and much more relaxing to navigate since the crowds of summer tourists will be gone. Domestically, the mountains near North Carolina are incredible, and the leaves will be in their full glory. Santa Fe is another trending US travel destination, with a budding art scene, incredible scenic views, and food to die for. Fall is a much more pleasant time of year to visit, with the weather averaging a comfortable 65-70 degrees. Plus, there are plenty of Fall festivals in Santa Fe in September and October, like the Harvest Festival, Indigenous People’s Day, the Independent Film Festival, and the International Balloon Fiesta in nearby Albuquerque.
Holiday Travel Destinations for 2020
Get ready to get back in the holiday spirit! Its home for me, but NY is so dreamy at Christmas. The city is lit up beautifully, the air is cold and crisp, and there are hundreds of holiday activities to take part in. NY Christmas is really only rivaled by Paris and Germany, where the Christmas markets are absolutely epic. If you want to escape all that and head off somewhere tropical, Belize, Honduras, and Puerto Vallarta are 2020 hotspots with perfect weather in November and December.
I hope you enjoyed my list of my top travel destinations for 2020! Let me know your 2020 travel goals!
