6 Wonderful Destinations to Add to Your Travel List in 2020

Check out these travel hotspots around the world which are going to be thriving next year…

2020 is set to be an incredible year for travel due to awesome new flight routes opening up a network of destinations, major events and festivals taking place and hot new attractions opening. We’ve put together a wanderlust-fuelled blog of destinations that you should consider visiting in 2020, some of which you may not expect…

Washington DC, USA

Who: History buffs & sightseeing tourists

Why: in 2020 Washington DC will be celebrating the centenary anniversary of its 19th Amendment, which was the law that changed history; women were given the right to vote. There will be some very important celebrations and events taking place here throughout the year to celebrate this anniversary. 

What: Washington DC is the capital of the United States and one of the most powerful and important cities in the world with boundless traces of history to discover at iconic museums, some of which will be hosting special exhibitions to mark the 19th Amendment centenary. The sightseeing landmarks and monuments of Washington DC are also a highlight, including the White House and the Lincoln Memorial which was the famous site of the Martin Luther King speech.

When: The 19th amendment centenary is a whole year thing, but Washington DC’s peak season sees more tourist crowds. You’re probably better off visiting in spring from March-May or autumn from September-November, as neither of these seasons have extreme weather conditions and the landscapes are pretty with either cherry blossoms or colourful autumn foliage to admire. Do your research to see what attractions are hosting events for the city’s important anniversary.

How: A number of our partnered airlines offer flights to Washington DC, including Delta Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines. The flight time from London to Washington DC on a direct service takes around 8hrs 30 mins.

Cairo, Egypt

Who: History buffs, sightseeing tourists, couples and families will benefit from a trip to Cairo; it’s an all-rounder destination which will charm all types of traveller. 

Why: The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is set to open in 2020 in Cairo which is going to be one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to the heritage of only one civilisation. The museum will display treasures from the current Egyptian Museum and other incredible historic relics, including those belonging to King Tutankhamun that have not yet been exhibited. 

What: The Grand Egyptian Museum will be a cultural centre with cinemas, theatres, restaurants and entertainment venues, so is somewhere that you’ll be able to spend an entire day at. Cairo has so many other attractions and holiday highlights that you can enjoy, from the iconic Pyramids of Giza and stunning mosques to architectural marvels, interesting museums and a thriving culinary scene with lots of tasty local delicacies. This is a truly exciting city. 

When: The best times to visit Cairo are believed to be either from October-November or March-April, the city’s shoulder seasons which have comfortable and pleasant temperatures, cheaper hotel rates and less tourist crowds. Those who want to secure the cheapest getaway can visit in summer with super deals on hotels and flights, but the heat can be unbearable at this time. It might be worth keeping your eyes peeled for news of when the GEM is opening, as currently it stands as unconfirmed. You don’t want to miss it!

How: You can book flights to Cairo with Austrian Airlines, KLM and other international airlines and choose to depart from a range of UK airports.

Vancouver, Canada

Who: Couples & families - Vancouver is a charming destination that is considered as romantic and also very family-friendly. 

Why: Vancouver is the birthplace of Greenpeace and with the current talk of sustainability, the city’s environmental impact is very appealing. Vancouver is doing its bit to promote sustainability with its Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, in which the city hopes to reach its goal of becoming the world’s greenest city by 2020. Vancouver has 28km of cycling and walking friendly coastal paths and over 100,000 new trees that have been planted since 2010, so is an environmentally friendly place to visit.

What: Vancouver is a wonderful Canadian city surrounded by beautiful mountains, rainforests and coastlines. It’s visually stunning! There is so much to explore here, from trendy neighbourhoods to iconic landmarks, museums, shopping streets, lush green spaces and awe-inspiring destinations within easy reach of the city, including the Whistler ski resort which is less than a two hour drive, accessible via the scenic Sea to Sky Highway route which makes for the road trip of a lifetime.

When: Summer is typically a prime time to visit Vancouver with nice warm sunny weather and colourful festivals, but do book your hotel in advance because peak season means peak prices. If budget is one of your concerns then perhaps visit in the city’s shoulder seasons, just before summer in April-May when the city blooms with flora of just after summer in September-October when the fall leaves are pretty and the sightseeing attractions are best visited.
 
How: Air Canada operates a direct service to Vancouver from London Heathrow which takes approx. 9hrs 30mins. This is Canada’s flag carrier and largest airline and the only international carrier in North America with a four-star Skytrax rating. Air Canada won the Skytrax awards of Best Airline in North America, World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining, Best Business Class in North America & Best Airline Staff in Canada for 2019.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Who: Thrill seekers, families, large groups & couples

Why: Abu Dhabi is going to be one of the hottest places to visit in 2020 because it’s opening up even more innovative attractions. There’s going to be a gigantic new cinema complex as well as the highly anticipated CLYMB Abu Dhabi which will be the latest addition to Yas Island, opening later this month; it will be home to the world’s tallest indoor air-conditioned climbing wall and the world’s widest indoor skydiving chamber. 

What: These fantastic upcoming attractions will be a welcome addition to the number of other leisure hotspots in Abu Dhabi, including the newly opened Louvre museum on Saadiyat Island and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi which is located in Yas Island, the city’s fastest growing leisure destination with an array of attractions, theme parks, hotels, a beautiful beach, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall and over 160 dining experiences. We offer some great holiday packages to Abu Dhabi for travel in 2020.

When: The best time to visit Abu Dhabi is either between April-May or September-October, as the weather is pleasant and hot and the crowds will be slightly more manageable. Weather wise, winter is the best time to visit between December-March when the humidity is at its lowest and the weather is still mild, though this is the peak season. 

How: Fly in style to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE operating four daily flights from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi served by the Airbus A380 and a twice daily service from Manchester, served by the Boeing 787.

Tokyo, Japan

Who For: Sports fans, cultural enthusiasts, solo travellers & couples

Why: With the recent Rugby World Cup, Japan has been blessed with an influx of visitors across the globe, many who visited for the first time so already the appeal of this country is widening and it’s only going to widen more next year as Tokyo, the colourful capital of Japan is hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.

What: Japan is unlike any other country in the world, and its vibrant capital Tokyo is one to note with its cultural neighbourhoods, Michelin starred restaurants, chic local boutiques and dynamic night spots. Tokyo is best known for its unique contrast of modern appeal and historic charm, with skyscrapers, bullet trains and mega malls set amongst ancient markets, shrines and temples. There’s something for everyone here, and 2020 is the year to visit. 

When: The opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympics will take place on July 24th and closing ceremony on August 9th, and the 2020 Paralympics will run from August 25th - September 6th.  If you’ve already got your tickets booked then you’re in for a treat, and if you’re interested in purchasing tickets then we recommend that you do so asap as they are selling out very quickly. 

How: There isn’t a direct flight service to Tokyo from the UK but several of our airlines operate here on transit flights including Cathay Pacific, Air France and China Southern Airlines.

Galway, Ireland

Who For: Culture enthusiasts, families, groups of friends & couples

Why: Galway is a must visit city break spot for next year as it’s becoming the European Capital of Culture for 2020, the largest cultural spectacle in Ireland which will begin in February. Expect colourful cultural events all year round here which will be celebrating the fascinating Irish heritage. The traditional pubs, towns and villages of Galway will be filled with Irish tunes and there will be some impressive art programmes throughout the year.

What: Galway is a popularly visited Irish city in County Galway famed for its beautiful scenery, impressive public art, museums and galleries, charming old streets and colourful buildings. It’s steeped in traditional Irish culture and has lots of modern appeal, and in 2018 was designated as a European Region of Gastronomy. Another highlight of Galway is the stunning western Irish countryside within easy reach of the city in County Galway.

When: The best time to visit Galway is considered to be in the summer between July and October, as the mild weather allows you to explore the great outdoors and there are some great festivals and events. However, the weather in Galway is generally unpredictable and can get quite wet. Winters can be chilly here, so autumn and spring might be a good time to visit. Whichever time of year you visit, be prepared for some rain and just embrace it.

How: you could either opt for a flight to Shannon from a number of UK airports which takes between an hour and 1 hour 30 mins depending on the departure destination, then a scenic 1hr drive to Galway. Alternatively you could travel by ferry or even by coach or train which of course would take considerably longer.