2020 Vision: The Top 20 Destinations You Should Be Traveling to This Year

In 2019 it seemed as though everyone traveled to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. And really, why wouldn’t they? After all, it is one of the world’s most beautiful locations and packed to the brim with wildlife to see and nature to explore. However, to get to the islands, visitors must first past through the mainland. And that typically involves a stay in the city of Quito, a destination deserving of a vacation in its own right. The capital city is packed with historic neighborhoods, stunning architecture, and plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. All this makes it little surprise the city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one worth tacking on a few extra days to your journey to South America.

Baja California Sur, a peninsula state located in the northwest corner of Mexico, is having somewhat of a rival. As you may recall from a previous visit to the region, Baja California Sur is home to the eternally popular tourist destination, Cabo San Lucas. While it’s always been a great spot to visit, Cabo has seen a number of new and exciting hotel openings in the last few years, making it a must-see destination once again. In 2019, Cabo welcomed a brand-new 200 room Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, along with the new Vidanta East Cape, and the Four Seasons Resort Costa Palmas. Don’t feel like you have to choose between the three. Just book three vacations to Cabo in 2020 instead. Or, head south to La Paz, where you'll find the low-key and luxurious Puerta Cortes (here, you can swim alongside whale sharks). 

Traveling to Antarctica was once reserved for adventurers who didn’t mind roughing it for days on end in tiny cabins on less than optimal sailing vessels. However, all that’s changed thanks to a few sustainable cruises that also happen to come with luxurious options as well. Now, companies like Quark Expeditions bring guests on 14-day cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula for penguin safaris. Chimu Adventure also takes visitors to stand on massive glaciers, and Natural World Safaris introduces guests to the whales that call the icy waters home, meaning people have more choice than ever before when visiting the seventh continent.

Tasmania is located just a quick two-hour plane ride away from the mainland of Australia, but it’s truly a place all its own. And it happens to be home to Hobart, a town filled with an unrivaled art and culture scene just begging for travelers to explore. In Hobart, guests can peruse the pieces displayed at the Museum of Old & New Art, appreciate the fine paintings at the Bett Gallery, get an education in newer works at the Contemporary Art Tasmania, and more.

Osaka is a long-beloved destination for travelers thanks to its rich history, supreme dining scene, and now, a host of new hotels just waiting for you to check into. The newest 2019 offerings in town include the Hotel Royal Classic Osaka, which offers up stunning city views from each of its 150 rooms, the Floral Hotel Nami Shinsaibashi Osaka, a traditional onsen-style hotel, as well as the Hotel Noum OSAKA, which happens to be situated just a few minutes away from the famed Horikawa Ebisu Shrine. 

In 2019, the readers of Travel+Leisure named Hoi An, Vietnam as the Best City in the World. It won the accolade thanks to its stellar food scene (pro tip: Take a food tour with Vespa Adventures), historic sites, and its fabric and leather shops that are like no other. Hoi An is also home to plenty of stellar hotels, including the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property. Inside the hotel, guests can also indulge in an over-the-top spa that is often considered one of the best in all of Asia. Who knows, all these goodies may make Hoi An one of the Best Cities in the World again for 2020.

Paris and London tend to get the most love when it comes to European vacations. However, if you are sleeping on Galway in Ireland you are truly missing out as the city was named the 2020 Capital of Culture. The town, located on Ireland’s West Coast, will feature over 1,900 events from both local and internationally acclaimed artists and cultural organizations. While 2020 is sure to be a standout year for this small city, guests will still have the chance to embrace everything that Galway has to offer, from historic ruins to sprawling landscapes. However, guests can also peruse the latest fashions, dine in upscale restaurants, and book stays in utterly modern hotels like The Twelve Hotel. Inside, guests can get comfortable in its oversized beds, have a lazy day in the spa, dine in one of its glamorous restaurants, or just head outside to be greeted with all the charms Galway has to offer.

If it’s under-the-radar destinations you’re after in 2020 then it’s time to head to Alexandria, Virginia. The quaint city, located just outside of Washington, D.C., truly qualifies as a hidden gem as it’s often overshadowed by the nation’s capital when it comes to vacation destinations. However, the town is absolutely worthy of your days off too. Even Money magazine agreed, naming it the best place to travel in 2018 thanks to its winning factors including lower cost, visitor satisfaction, and trending food scene. In town, guests can get a little culture by visiting the famed music hall known as Birchmere, take in some history at Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington, or just take a stroll down any of its Instagram-worthy cobblestone streets.  

Bavaria may be most well-known for its annual Octoberfest celebration, however, this destination is so much more. But, rather than just flying or driving to the free state of Bavaria guests are getting there in a totally unique way: River cruises. U River Cruises’ The Danube Flow itinerary takes guests to the city just in time for Octoberfest, while Viking and Crystal will take travelers there winter, spring, fall, and summer. Don’t worry, the beer and sausages are just as delicious whenever you decide to dock.

People have long been traveling to countries in Africa to get a close encounter with wild animals. However, nothing—absolutely nothing—compares to trekking with gorillas in Rwanda. The experience is only offered through a handful of responsible operators, who will quietly and respectfully take visitors to where these massive creatures live. There, guests can sit and watch the magnificent animals in their natural habitat, and leave forever changed. If you want to try it for yourself stay at a place like Kwitonda Lodge, which wakes guests up in the early hours to visit the gorillas. And, you’ll be in good company as Prince Charles is expected to visit the region in 2020, too.

Last year, this year, and for years to come, St. Barts will be a place to travel. The perennial favorite, located in the Caribbean, makes everyone’s “must-see” lists because it’s simply that spectacular. However, the island was hit hard by Hurricane Irma. Thousands were displaced, and hotels were forced to close. But, this just makes it all the more important to return in 2020 and assist by spending those tourism dollars. In 2020, visit the recently re-opened Eden Rock - St Barths or the Hotel Le Toiny, which added eight new suites following the storm—both American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts properties—and the Hotel Christopher St Barth, which updated its in-house spa and added an entirely new fitness room too.

Montana is the best place to be in 2020 if you need a little space to roam, some fresh air to breathe, and plenty of quiet time to think. Montana is made up of 147,040 square miles, and nobody takes better advantage of all that outdoor space than the Resort at Paws Up. The resort is home to more than 37,000 acres of land where guests are free to roam on foot, on horseback, on a sleigh ride in the winter, and more. As a whole, Montana is a place that is as close to divine as it gets here on earth and a destination where you’ll most certainly feel more connected to a deity like mother nature than you’ve ever felt before.

As far as regal destinations go Jaipur, India takes the cake. Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state, is recognized the world over thanks to its glorious pink-hued walls and for the famed City Palace complex. Inside, guests will find opulent gardens, wide-open courtyards, and museums filled with historical riches. However, there are still some parts of the complex you cannot enter as the royals still call it home. But, that’s OK as guests can stay in their own royal-like accommodations, including the Rambagh Palace, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, the one-time royal guest house that will now take you in, too.

As far as traditionally great American vacation destinations go, Buffalo is most certainly on the list. The town is, of course, famous for its proximity to Niagara Falls, being home to the world-renowned Albright Knox Art Gallery, and works by famed architects by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Frederick Law Olmsted (the man who designed New York City's Central Park), and Louise Blanchard Bethune (the world's first professional female architect.) But, it’s so much more than that. It’s also home to a world-class bar scene, excellent food options, and a handful of luxury hotels—one of which, Hotel Henry, opened in an abandoned psychiatric hospital. Plans were also just announced that would see a total transformation of the city's downtown waterfront. The existing elevated skyway will be turned into an park similar to the Highline in New York City.

It’s time to head south in 2020 to the South American city of Buenos Aires. As the largest city in Argentina, it’s no surprise that this place is such a hotbed of tourism. However, there are some elements that will still surprise even the most seasoned traveler. Take, for example, the city’s thriving cafe scene that’s bursting at the seams with some of the greatest coffee brewing methods in the globe. Or, how about its speakeasy bars, which you’ll only find out about by traveling there and whispering to a few locals (or by getting in on the secret here). Go ahead, book a ticket, and treat yourself to some over-the-top South American luxury by booking a few nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property.

No destination is quite as alluring as The French Riviera. Perhaps it’s because the French Riviera is a destination that conjures up thoughts of the rich and famous cavorting by the shore, or for the wealth oozing out of places like Monaco. It’s a place to go to be luxurious, to be extravagant, and a place to go to be seen. In 2020, head to the French Riviera, gamble just a little, and spend a few nights at the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, a Relais & Chateaux property. There, you can laze about by the seashore and relax knowing that you’re staying in one of the finest properties on the planet.

There are some places around the world that are so awesome it’s almost infuriating they don’t get more attention. One of those spots is Newfoundland and Labrador, the easternmost province of Canada. The province is home to places like St. John’s, easily one of the most photogenic towns around. It’s also home to Fogo Island, an artist enclave like no other, and, for something completely different, the area is also home to one of the world’s largest puffin populations. Be it adventure, nature, culture, food, or more, Newfoundland and Labrador is a destination that will leave you in awe no matter what kind of vacation you’re after.

When it comes to glamour Lake Como has everyone beat. The Italian oasis, located just a few hours away from Milan, is a place that’s easy to fall in love with thanks to its old-world charms that blend seamlessly with more modern amenities. In Lake Como, guests can rent an old wooden boat to explore the waters for the day, walk down the maze of narrow streets downtown, shop in high-end retailers dotting the coastline, or just sit and have an espresso and watch the world go by. In Lake Como, visitors can choose to stay in historic spots like Villa D'Este—an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property—or choose a more modern accommodation like Vista Palazzo Lago di Como. Either way, a stay in Lake Como is bound to be romantic. 

If you were to close your eyes right now and imagine paradise odds are it would look exactly like the Maldives. The island chain nation located in the Indian Ocean is surrounded by the bluest water travelers will ever lay eyes on, that also happens to be teeming with fish and other curious wildlife waiting to greet people. The Maldives is home to some 1,192 islands, meaning there is plenty of space, and plenty of properties, for guests to explore. This year, book a stay at one of the area’s newest hotels like The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, or the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi—both American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts properties. Or, for the newest of the new, book a night with Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA, an overwater bungalow retreat that will open its doors just before the ball drops on 2020.

While Dubai has seen an influx in travel over the past few years with ever-continuing expansion of luxury properties, travelers are now setting their sights on Abu Dhabi. Just an hour's drive from Dubai, the capital city of the UAE is seeing its own uptick of high-end accommodations. The Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort and Spa, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, opened in 2019 with 103 rooms and suites, plus 13 villas that include their own private plunge pools. And shoppers will enjoy the offerings at Al Maryah Central, a 2.8 million-square-foot luxury shopping center with over 400 stores that cost an estimated $1 billion to construct.