Best trips for 2020

From culture and adventure to cities and nature, this is the ultimate list of the 25 destinations for the year ahead. Discover where to go, what to know, and how to see the world right now.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019,
By National Geographic
Women of the Longhorn Miao tribe in Guizhou province
Women of the Longhorn Miao tribe in Guizhou province wear elaborate headdresses of linen and wool on special occasions
Photograph by Stefano Cestari (Women)



1. Asturias, Spain



When to go: May–September How to go: See Europe’s oldest known fossils and the medieval Asturian town of Santillana del Mar on National Geographic’s 10-day “Human Origins” expedition across southwestern France and northern Spain.

2. Guizhou, China

If you like: Ancient traditions

Why go now: Step into villages mostly untouched by time

Historically one of China’s most isolated and undiscovered provinces, southwestern Guizhou is gaining global notice as a cloud computing and big-data centre. The mountainous region’s plentiful water and cool climate are draws for Apple, Huawei, and other tech powerhouses that have established or are building facilities in the provincial capital, Guiyang.


On guided tours (by appointment) of Dimen Dong Cultural Eco-Museum, a self-sufficient community encompassing several villages, visitors likely will hear Dong folk singing, recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, or see master artisans demonstrating traditional Dong folk crafts, such as papermaking and handloom weaving. Josan Ruiz, director, Nat Geo Travel Spain

When to go: Apr-May


3. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey

If you like: Archaeology



Much of the massive Göbekli Tepe site remains underground and a mystery. What has been revealed—primarily circles and rectangles of massive stones decorated with bas-reliefs of boars, foxes, and gazelles—comprise the world’s oldest known temple complex.

The extraordinary discoveries made here have rewritten the story of how the first civilisations began. Contrary to the long-held belief that the world’s earliest permanent settlements developed due to agriculture, Göbekli Tepe suggests that the impetus was a desire for a place of worship. Researchers theorise that it was built by hunter-gatherers as a regional meeting point and that agriculture was born out of the need to feed all the people involved in the unprecedented construction effort. Kemal Gözegir, assistant editor, Nat Geo Travel Turkey

When to go: Mar-May


The Temple of the Great Jaguar towers over the main plaza of the ancient Maya city of Tikal.
Photograph by Simon Dannhauer/Stockphoto/Getty Images

4. Guatemala

If you like: Jungle temples

Why go now: Meet the Maya — past and present

A treasure map created using revolutionary laser technology is leading to new discoveries under the jungle canopy of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala. Armed with information gathered via the Pacunam Lidar Initiative, an 800-square-mile aerial survey, archaeologists are finding long-hidden pyramids, watchtowers, and other ruins of an extensive pre-Columbian civilisation considerably more complex than most Maya experts realised. While not yet accessible to the public, the latest discoveries confirm that Guatemala is the place to dive into Maya culture, then and now.


When to go: Nov-Dec


5. Mendoza, Argentina

If you like: Stellar vintages

Why go now: Drink a mighty Malbec and delve into the roots of its flavour


The province’s three main wine regions—Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, and Uco Valley—are strung along Argentina’s epic Ruta 40 (one of the longest highways in the world), within 75 miles of Mendoza’s eponymous capital city. The Spanish introduced grapes here in the 16th century, and some wineries are more than a century old. Yet it’s the locals’ warmth and their passion for winemaking that set Mendoza apart from other global wine capitals, says Kai Reinke, founder and director of Ampora Wine Tours. The area’s vineyard owners, winemakers, and agronomists “just have a way of making you feel like an old friend in a very short time,” Reinke says. “Through our connections, we are able to include experiences like sitting at the tasting table with a winery owner, talking about wine and life, while he pulls out yet another amazing bottle he would like you to taste.”

When to go: Mar-Apr


Colossal statues of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II guard the entrance to Abu Simbel's main temple.
Photograph by Dan Breckwoldt/Shutterstock

6. Abu Simbel, Egypt

If you like: Legendary Pharaohs

Why go now: Enjoy a private audience with Ramses II


Before vast areas were flooded, the temples were meticulously disassembled, moved, and reconstructed on higher ground, 200 feet above the cliff. Together with several additional Nubian monuments, the temple complex was named a World Heritage site in 1979. Wander from one dimly lit chamber to another through the 98-foot-tall Great Temple, guarded by four gigantic figures of Ramses II. Stand awestruck in front of images of the pharaoh and Nefertari, his beloved queen, engraved on the walls more than 3,000 years ago. Take your time: Chances are few people will be jostling for your view. Daphne Raz, editor in chief, Nat Geo Travel Israel

When to go: Feb-Mar



1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why go now: Rediscover an American classic


When to go: Year-round 

How to go: Base yourself at the Rittenhouse for old-school Philadelphia glamour or the new Notary Hotel, then head out to quirky culture spots the Mütter Museum and the Edgar Allan Poe House.

2. Telč, Czechia

If you like: Cool castles

Why go now: Become charmed by a fairytale setting


International travellers to Czechia typically tend to flock to the capital city, Prague, and the historic town of Český Krumlov, in Bohemia. But you’re more likely to meet Czech travellers if you visit Telč, on the border between Moravia and Bohemia.


When to go: May-Sep


3. Fort Kochi, India

If you like: Contemporary art

Why go now: Admire aesthetic trends in the tropics



Rao is curator of the fifth biennale, set to run from December 12, 2020, to April 10, 2021. Among the likely biennale venues are David Bungalow, built about 1695 by the Dutch East India Company, and the 1867 Aspinwall House, a former British trading company compound. Events also are staged in nearby Mattancherry, home to Kochi’s centuries-old Jewish Quarter. Lakshmi Sankharan, editor, Nat Geo Travel India

When to go: Dec-Apr


A replica of the 16th-century Star Most (Old Bridge) spans the Neretva River in Mostar
Photograph by Andrew Compton/Alamy

4. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

If you like: Historic bridges

Why go now: Mark 25 years of peaceful coexistence


Wander around Mostar, which is located on the Neretva River, and you’ll pass newly renovated apartments next to buildings riddled with bullet holes. Local and international artists regularly decorate the abandoned structures with colourful murals, creating a street art collection that has helped boost the appeal of this largely undiscovered Balkan gem.

Mostar’s most tangible image of peace is the 16th-century Stari Most (Old Bridge), rebuilt in 2004. It connects the city’s predominantly Christian Croat west side with the mainly Muslim Bosniak east. Cross the bridge and you may witness a tradition dating back more than 400 years: young men diving into the water from the 79-foot-high span to prove their fearlessness. Barbera Bosma, managing editor, Nat Geo Travel Netherlands

When to go: May

How to go: Visit Mostar as part of a 12-day Nat Geo Expeditions “Discover the Balkans” trip, offered in partnership with G Adventures.

A master grader at Italy's Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium tests the quality of a wheel of Parma's famed cheese.
Photograph by Ainara Garcia/Alamy

5. Parma, Italy

If you like: Classic dishes

Why go now: Savour a multisensory feast


“Some bigger cities are overrun with tourists, but Parma is still precious,” says Amalfi Coast resident Lauren Piscitelli, whose company Cooking Vacations offers one- to eight-day Parma culinary classes and tours. “There’s an old hat shop where the men and women—who are elegantly dressed all the time—still get their hats made. Come 6 p.m., everyone gathers in tiny cafés for an aperitivo [Italy’s predinner drink-and-appetizer ritual] or a coffee. It’s all very dreamy.”

When to go: Apr-May


Puebla's 17th-century Chapel of the Rosary is covered in gold leaf.
Photograph by Universal Images Group/Getty Images

6. Puebla, Mexico

If you like: Gilded opulence

Why go now: Because baroque is back


When to go: Year-round



1. Magdalen Islands, Canada




2. Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa

If you like: Starry nights

Why go now: Look up to see one of the darkest skies on the planet



“On moonless nights, Bushmen will teach you how to navigate by the stars, like Kalahari’s ancestral hunter-gatherers still do,” says Corné, a local ranger. “Just walk across the heart-shaped pan and trust the Milky Way and the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud dwarf galaxies to guide your path home.”

When to go: Aug-Sep


3. Białowieża Forest, Belarus/Poland

If you like: Deep woods

Why go now: Discover one of Europe’s last true wild places



How has Białowieża largely retained its ecosystem for thousands of years? Biologist Mikałaj Czerkas credits swamps, which he says surrounded the forest several hundred years ago. Tomasz Wesołowski of the University of Wrocław says it’s thanks to the Polish kings and Russian tsars who protected it as a hunting ground. Whatever the reasons, the result is a wild place pulsating with the natural cycle of life and death. Martyna Szczepanik, editorial coordinator, Nat Geo Travel Poland

When to go: Sep-Oct


4. National Blue Trail, Hungary

If you like: Amazing ambles



Originating in 1938 and recognised as Europe’s first long-distance trail, it’s part of the nearly 6,500-mile European long-distance walking route E4, which begins in Spain and ends (with ferry connections) in Cyprus. So, while you could use the Blue Trail as a launch pad for an epic, cross-Europe trek, Hungary’s historic route is best experienced as a singular destination. Whether for a day hike or multinight trek, there’s a Blue Trail route fine-tailored to fit most interests. Paths climb gentle hills, traverse thick forests and extinct volcanoes, lead to mountain vistas and through medieval cities, and pass resorts on western Hungary’s nearly 50-mile-long Lake Balaton. Among the many cultural detours are World Heritage sites, such as the Old Village of Hollókő and the Buda Castle Quarter in Budapest. Tamás Vitray, editor in chief, Nat Geo Travel Hungary

When to go: Aug-Sep


5. Canary Islands, Spain

If you like: Coastal gems

Why go now: Reach an end of the world



When to go: Sep-Oct

How to go: From September to June, self-guided walking tour specialists Macs Adventure offers a seven-­night “El Hierro: Edge of Europe” itinerary including lodging, luggage transfers, daily breakfasts, and route maps.

The Maldives is home to one of the largest known populations of reef mantas in the world.
Photograph by Adam Azim

6. Maldives

If you like: Blue lagoons



The 540-square-mile UNESCO Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve helps protect the Maldives’ fragile coral reefs, which support a high diversity of coral, fish, and bird species, as well as sea turtles, whale sharks, and other marine life. Visitors can promote reef health by joining in ocean-bed cleaning efforts or coral gardening programs organised by resorts. Marie-Amélie Carpio, senior editor, Nat Geo Travel France

When to go: Feb-Mar


The view from Lipan Point is worth the short detour off the main drive along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Photograph by Adam Schallau

7. Grand Canyon Natural Park, United States

If you like: American icons

Why go now: See a geological wonderland eons in the making


When to go: Sep-Oct

How to go: National Geographic offers several trips that visit U.S. parks, including the “Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks Family Expedition.”


1. Tasmania, Australia




2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road

If you like: Epic mountains

Why go now: Drive to views once accessible only to mountaineers


The road, named for Austria’s highest peak, 12,460-foot Grossglockner, runs north to south across the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol, and Carintha, from Fusch to Heilgenblut. Intended for savouring, not speeding, the route features multiple scenic overlooks and trailheads. Enjoy a leisurely lunch accompanied by views of 37 peaks and 19 glaciers at the historic Edelweisshütte inn, built in 1935.

When to go: Apr-May


3. Wales Way, United Kingdom

If you like: Scenic drives



Each driving itinerary is a gateway to wider outdoor adventures. Hike in Edmund Hillary’s footsteps on Mount Snowdon; inland surf at Adventure Parc Snowdonia; or go coasteering (a new adventure sport that combines rock climbing, cliff jumping, snorkelling, and more) on the Pembrokeshire coast. Zane Henry, project editor, Nat Geo Travel U.K.

When to go: May-June


Ice-covered trees, known as snow monsters, transform southern Tokohu's Zao ski resort into a winter wonderland.
Photograph by Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images

4. Tohoku, Japan

If you like: Blazing trails

Why go now: Escape the Olympic crowds naturally


Walk the Michinoku Coastal Trail, which runs for 620 miles from Aomori to Fukushima. The latter was devastated by the 2011 tsunami, and the newly opened trail is a stirring symbol of the area’s rebirth. As you hike through slow-paced villages, stop to sample fresh-from-the-sea scallops, oysters, sea urchin, and salmon roe, as well as katsuo (skipjack tuna) and maguro (Pacific bluefin tuna). Then hop on a boat for a fisherman’s tour of his favourite beaches, coves, and islands.

For skiers, Tohoku regularly records some of the planet’s heaviest snowfalls, and resorts such as Appi Kogen are exhilaratingly uncrowded. Fancy a poetic pilgrimage? Retrace the steps of 17th-century haiku master Matsuo Basho, including stops at the slope-side Ryushakuji temple and the holy peaks of Dewa Sanzan, where you still may encounter mountain-wandering yamabushi monks.

When to go: Year-round


A Kamchatka brown bear searches for salmon in the peninsula's Kronotsky Nature Reserve
Photograph by Igor Shpilenok/

5. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

If you like: Volcanic wonders

Why go now: Jump through the Ring of Fire



When to go: Aug-Sep

How to go: Nat Geo Expeditions offers the “Across the Bering Sea: From Katmai to Kamchatka” cruise.

A herd of several hundred elephants heads toward a watering hole in Chad's Zakouma National Park.
Photograph by Brent Stirton/National Geographic

6. Zakouma National Park, Chad

If you like: Wild things

Why go now: Support an African elephant haven


Poaching previously had rendered the park nearly a war zone, with 90 percent of the wild elephants killed. Funding from the European Union and the 2010 decision to transfer park management to the public-private conservation organisation African Parks has brought back life to the region. In addition to its profusion of pachyderms, Zakouma is a playground for more than 10,000 buffalo and aboutw 1,000 Kordofan giraffes. Among other wild things at home here are nearly 400 species of birds, as well as cheetahs, leopards, and servals. Marina Conti, editor in chief, Nat Geo Travel Italy

When to go: Mar-Apr

How to go: Stay at the eight-tent Camp Nomade, open mid-December to mid-April, or the more affordable Camp Tinga, a 20-rondavel (round hut) camp open mid-November to May.

Follow National Geographic Traveller (UK) on social media 

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Read More